When it was reported that South Africa deported over one hundred Nigerians last week there was so much out cry against the decision of the South African government. A lot as been said about this issue but I want to comment as a travel consultant based in Nigeria.
It is a known fact that South Africa requests for yellow fever vaccination card from Nigerians travelling to their country. This has gone on for so long that I do not understand what the uproar is about. In my opinion, the issue is not about whether it is right or wrong for SA to make whatever request they desire of Nigerians, it is rather about the way Nigerians flout every known orders given to them. To get a yellow fever vaccination card in Nigeria, you only have to go to the airport on a day that there is a Johannesburg bound flight. This I feel is wrong and criminal but since we've done it for so long without any repercussion(s), we have all collectively assumed it is right.
If it is "wrong" for SA to make this request of us, I wonder why it took our government and all her officials, who have been granting interviews all around, the deportation of over a hundred people for them to notice it is wrong, perhaps they buy their own yellow fever vaccination card at the airport also.
I am not in any way saying what SA did to Nigerians is right but I think morally, we have failed as much as they have failed, if not more.
If you must enter USA, no matter your nationality if your country is visa free, you fill the ESTA form, simple, that's their rule, you either abide by it or you get turned back.
LESSON: To my readers and clients alike, it is necessary that you have correct and genuine documentation(s) for any country you are travelling to as the fact that you have your visa does not give you automatic entry into that country. lol
