Lagos: A 26-year-old travel content creator, Alma Asinobi, has urged the government to address delays in obtaining visas for Nigerians travelling to various countries. Asinobi made this known on Thursday while speaking to journalists about her proposed expedition to travel across seven continents by road in a bid to secure a Guinness World Record. She claimed that obtaining travel visas was difficult for Nigerians, describing the process as discouraging. “Your passport will be held for about a month, will not give you the visa, and no one will not tell you the reason why you did not get it. At every point, you start afresh and no explanation is given, yet, you are spending money, it is really disheartening,” she said. She, therefore, called on the government to urgently address these issues to prevent further humiliation for Nigerian travellers.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Asinobi, a graduate of architecture from Covenant University, told journalists that she is set to embark on a journey across seven continents in 70 hours. Expressing her concerns, she said: “Sometimes I am scared, other times I am not, because of the encouragement I get from people. I am passionate about what I am doing, which is travelling to various places,” she said. She stated that she had studied multiple routes and alternatives for over five years to avoid being stranded due to time constraints.
Asinobi mentioned that at every stop on her journey, she must provide proof of her location by taking a picture of important places. She said she is expected to use commercial transport throughout, adding that she would be guided by her GPS. “I will start from March 15 to March 23; when I come back, there will be the signing of the Nigeria flag,” she said.
Meanwhile, Asinobi’s project lead, Blessing Abeng, expressed hope that improved diplomatic relations would eliminate visa queues at embassies. “We do not want to be identified by our colour but to be treated like fellow humans, and also have better international relations,” she said. She added that Asinobi had undergone both physical and mental assessments to ensure she was fit for the journey.
Eneyi Obi, Chief Marketing Officer of Rise Vest, one of Asinobi’s sponsors, said they support Nigerians making a positive global impact. “The Nigerian flag is going to be on various continents. It is a good thing, so we need to come in,” she said.