Category: APO-OPA

LAGOS, Nigeria, November 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has mandated VFS TasHeel International (https://www.vfstasheel.com) with managing and administrating the Saudi Arabian visa application process from Nigeria, which will also combine mandatory enrolment process of fingerprint collection and photo capture for all applicants.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/vfs-tasheel.jpg

VFS TasHeel said it will begin processing Saudi visas of various categories except for Hajj and Umrah. However, pilgrims who have applied for Saudi visas are required to do biometric enrollment at the VFS TasHeel centre.

VFS TasHeel is a joint venture between the global visa processing leader, VFS Global (A division of Kuoni Travel Group, Switzerland) and TasHeel, Saudi Arabia.

Chargee D’affairs of the Embassy of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Sa’ad Abdallah Alnofeai, stated, “The newly inaugurated Visa Services Centersin Nigeria will serve people who desire to visit the KSA in addition to providing them with vital information about the Kingdom.”

Services include the dissemination of visa information, application guidance, application processing, biometric enrollment and passport delivery. The Centre is open for extended hours during peak season for speeding up the visa procedures.

“The new Visa Services Centers is packed with convenience and comes with dedicated service counters and a reception area, all to enhance the experience and add value to the process of visa application. We are pleased to be fulfilling the role assigned to us by the Saudi MoFA, which is to facilitate a smooth, streamlined visa application process for travelers to the kingdom. We at VFS TasHeel seek to provide these services through our efficient, customer-friendly approach, acting as a trusted mediator between visa applicants and the Saudi mission.” said Madhan Gopalakrishnan, CEO, VFS TASHEEL International.”

Visa Services Centre in Nigeria is now operational and located at three places:

Abuja Saudi Arabia Visa Service Centre

Address: Rivers Plaza 1st Floor,Plot.No.470,AbogoLargema Street,Off constitution road,Central Business District,Abuja,Nigeria

Lagos Saudi Arabia Visa Service Centre

Address: SKYWATER TOWER (2nd floor) NO.6 Otunba Yomi Oshikoya Drive, Off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Saudi Arabia Visa Service Centre

Address: Plot 11-13, along Race Course,

Opposite to Kano Golf Course Club, Kano, Nigeria

Further information and appointment booking details can be accessed at https://www.vfstasheel.com

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of VFS TasHeel International.

Media Inquiries:

Priyanka Padiyar

Assistant Manager – Corporate Communications

VFS TasHeel International

priyankap@vfstasheel.com

About VFS TasHeel International:

VFS TasHeel (https://www.vfstasheel.com) is a joint venture between the global visa processing leader, VFS Global (A division of Kuoni Travel Group, Switzerland) and TasHeel, Saudi Arabia. The collaborative enterprise is tasked with managing and administrating the Saudi Arabia visa application process as mandated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Saudi Arabia in 33 countries.

NEW YORK, November 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The members of the Security Council strongly condemn Saturday’s attack in Mandera, Kenya for which Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility and which has caused the deaths of numerous innoc…

NEW YORK, November 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General extends his congratulations to the Tunisian people on the occasion of the country’s first democratic presidential election since the 2011 revolution. The polls, con…

NEW YORK, November 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General notes the appointment in Burkina Faso on 23 November of the 26-member Transitional Government and the convening of the first Cabinet meeting today. He looks forward…

BERLIN, Germany, November 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Speaking on the fringes of the nuclear negotiations with Iran in Vienna, Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement on 24 November on last Sunday’s presidential e…

GENEVA, Switzerland, November 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Moroccan government and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed an agreement today that formalizes the relations the ICRC has had with Morocco since the…

WASHINGTON, November 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement

Jeff Rathke

Director, Bureau of Public Affairs, Office of Press Relations

Washington, DC

November 24, 2014

We are dismayed by President Jammeh’s decision to sign into law legislation that further restricts the rights of LGBT individuals and are deeply concerned about the reported arrests and detention of suspected LGBT individuals in The Gambia. These reports follow the signature into law of a bill that imposes harsh sentences for the crime of “aggravated homosexuality.” The United States strongly opposes any legislation that criminalizes consensual relations between adults. We urge the Government of The Gambia not to arrest or detain individuals solely on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, and to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all its citizens to which they are entitled under The Gambia’s international human rights commitments. We call on the Government of The Gambia to reverse the deteriorating respect for democracy and human rights.

CONAKRY, Guinea, November 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Since 21 November 2014, a number of media outlets have reported that a vehicle transporting blood samples from suspected Ebola patients in Guinea was robbed, and that the samples …

LONDON, United-Kingdom, November 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood welcomes completion of voting in first democratic Presidential elections in Tunisia

Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood said:

“I welcome the successful completion of voting in Tunisia’s historic first democratic Presidential elections. The good turnout and peaceful voting showed once again the desire of the Tunisian people to have their say in how their country is run. I welcome the contribution of national and international observers, including the European Union Electoral Observation Mission. I commend the work of the Electoral Commission and the Tunisian authorities in making these elections safe and successful. I look forward to the completion of the electoral process.”

GENEVA, Switzerland, November 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations expert on the independence of the judiciary Gabriela Knaul will undertake an official visit to Tunisia from 27 November to 5 December 2014 to assess the independence of judges, lawyers, and prosecutors, as well as the working of the justice system.

“The purpose of this visit is to assess both the achievements and challenges faced by the country in ensuring the independence of the judiciary and the free exercise of the legal profession during this key transitional period,” the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers said.

“I also wish to identify areas where progress is lacking and action is needed to strengthen Tunisia’s democratic institutions and its institutional and legislative framework relevant to the justice sector, in order to reinforce the rule of law and the protection of human rights in the country,” Ms. Knaul explained.

The UN independent expert, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government, will meet with representatives from the executive and legislative branches of power, as well as with judges, prosecutors and lawyers in Tunis and Nabeul. She will also meet with representatives from civil society, academia, UN agencies and the diplomatic community.

At the end of the visit on Friday 5 December, Ms. Knaul will hold a press conference to present her preliminary findings and observations at 11:00 a.m. at the Novotel (tbc), in Tunis.

A report containing the final findings and conclusions of the Special Rapporteur will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2015.