Nigerians residing in Texas, United States, have called on the President Muhammadu Buhari led government to establish a direct location of Nigeria Embassy in Texas.
The resident lamented over the stress they go through in order to renew their Nigerian e-passports.
They complained that any e-passports Renewal embarked upon by Nigerian Embassy (DC) staff or diplomats in Consulate Generals of New York or Atlanta in Texas takes a minimum of over 16 hours daily.
Nigerian immigrants account for about 0.6 percent of the United States’ overall foreign-born population, about half of whom arrived before 2000.
It is worthy of note that the largest numbers of Nigerian immigrants in the United States reside in Houston, Texas.
Dr Val Egbundine, a pastor in Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Chapel of Revival and Miracles, speaking to Nigeria Standard Newspaper, said: “Texas is long overdue to have the presence of Nigeria Embassy to cater for immigration challenges of the people”
“Nigerians are begging President Buhari desperately to kindly locate Nigeria Embassy in Texas to meet the immigration needs of Nigerians Abroad. We Need Nigeria Embassy in Texas, We’ve Highest Nigerian Community in USA,” he added.
Steve Franklin,, President, Nigerian American Press Association (NAPA), also said: “Nigeria’s Presidency needs to situate as a matter of urgency, Embassy of Nigeria into Texas. I can assure Nigeria’s President that in every three Blacks in Houston, one of them is a Nigerian.
“Nigerians are very hardworking people, widely traveled globally. We in NAPA have received sundry request by hundreds of Nigerians appealing us to help reach out and pressure the Government of Nigeria to accede to the demand of Nigerians in North America to have a physical Embassy of Nigeria present in any city here in Texas.
“If President Buhari does this, he would have scored a huge pass mark, gladdens the minds of Nigerian community as well as Nigerians in the Diaspora.”