By Victoria Ojeme

ABUJA — The Federal Government, yesterday, announced the introduction of new yellow card with six security features.

Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, who disclosed this at the unveiling of the new yellow card in Abuja, said it would be effective next month.

According to him, the old International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis currently in use will cease to be recognized by international destinations.

Chukwu said:  “Actually, the new card has been available for some months now, and a lot of Nigerians have availed themselves the opportunity of having the new yellow card. We thought it was important for the Minister to also do a formal flag off as the part of the sensitization and creating awareness.

“As Minister, when I go on the streets and ask people, quite a number of Nigerians don’t seem to appreciate that we have a new yellow card.

“Yet, we have set a target of October, that in October, that is just next month, the old card will no longer be valid.

“We don’t want Nigerians to get embarrassed, that is why we are trying to ensure Nigerians are aware and they get the new yellow card.

“We have always paid for the yellow card, it used to be N500.00. It is not the first time. Nigeria has always paid for the yellow card.

“However, the new one followed the issue that arose sometimes last year about Nigerians travelling to South Africa, we looked into the issue.”