Some government officials of the State Government were expected to accompany an 11-year old winner of the 2009 MARE International Mountain Climbing Expedition, Master Akinwunmi Sunday Edward to Spain.
Those billed to travel with the boy included the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Tola Wewe, Chief Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor, Mr. Olabisi Kolawole Edwards, Chairman, Idanre Local Government Area, Mr. Sunday Taiwo Ayodele.
As reported in the Vanguard here.
Without having access to the actual rationale of the Spanish embassy for visa denial, the most potent question here is:
How fundamentally jobless can three (3!) state officials be, if they have to follow an 11-year old to Spain for an exhibition ?
And, the way it works, in Nigeria, possibly in Ondo state, their PA's, wives and mistresses (as is usually the case) would be expected to be part of the team.
Right ? You can see why Visa officials are raising eye-brows.
Commissioner Akerele's statement, in response, reeks of fire-power, without any hit:
“In our opinion, this is a mundane, lame, absurd and laughable excuse adduced by the Spanish Embassy that officials of a State Government who, the State had expressly stated in its letter that it would be sponsoring would either bolt away or have no means of sponsoring their trip!
“Again, it is an affront to aver that these State officials who have subsisting and valid Visas to other very advanced nations and who have equally travelled to several countries and have returned home would now abscond in Madrid!
Affront ? No, its not. Even if it is, what are you going to do ?
The reality remains its a waste of resources, for any more than one Ondo state official to be billed as accompanying the kid in question here to Spain.
It invites questions. Questions about motive. It simply feels outrageous, in a global economy where other serious governments are looking to save costs.
And to the extent that the right to grant entry Visas or not, remains with the embassy 100%, the Ondo state government should eat the humble pie.
The real affront here, is quite simply what it says about us, that three state officials see the need to follow an 11 year old all the way to Spain.
It's a glowing shame!
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