Two days ago, I found myself at the airport, taking a player on his journey, and the experience left me profoundly disheartened.
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I’ll withhold the player’s name for now to prevent any “village people wahala,” as we’ve grown cautious about sharing players’ movements these days.
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Nevertheless, I felt it necessary to shed light on the plight of first-time travelers in our country.
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In recent times, we’ve become more vigilant about posting players’ movements, considering the superstitions surrounding such matters.
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Despite this, it’s crucial to demonstrate the progress our ministry has made.
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There are numerous stories and pictures waiting to be shared, but my recent findings at the airport have prompted me to address an alarming issue.
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Airport Injustices:
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First-time travelers, who should be filled with anticipation and excitement, often find themselves facing obstacles and unfair treatment right from the moment they enter the airport.
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I was appalled to discover that even airline attendants, whose primary role is to ensure passengers’ tickets are legitimate and their passport details match their ticket information, have started demanding money from these travelers.
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Extortion at Its Worst:
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If these travelers do not comply with these extortionate demands, they are subjected to embarrassment and threatened with eviction from the airport.
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The audacity of it all! Since when did it become a crime to be a first-time traveler?
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The Nightmare Continues:
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The ordeal doesn’t end there.
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Once these first-time travelers manage to navigate through the airlines and obtain their boarding passes, they are confronted with the immigration checkpoint.
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As a first-timer, they are required to part with any remaining naira or dollars in their possession before being allowed to leave the country.
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Without the immigration stamp of approval, they cannot embark on their journey.
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This bureaucratic hurdle is particularly problematic because if travelers are not swift in paying, they risk missing their flight.
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It seems the airport staff’s only concern is what they can extract from these travelers, without any regard for the challenges they might face upon reaching their destination.
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A Call for Change:
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The treatment of first-time travelers at Nigerian airports is nothing short of deplorable.
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The current state of affairs, marked by extortion and humiliation, is an affront to the idea of seamless air travel.
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Something must be done to address this issue.
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Let’s not forget that these first-time travelers represent the future of our country.
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We must ensure their experiences are positive, encouraging, and supportive.
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Traveling for the first time should be an exciting adventure, not a traumatic experience tainted by exploitation and mistreatment.
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I implore you to share this message and raise awareness of the challenges faced by first-time travelers.
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It’s time for us to advocate for change and create an airport experience that welcomes all travelers, regardless of their experience level.
