“Biafran Passport Not Recognised By US And UK”: Is That Even News?

Twitter went ablaze this morning with news reports from various online publications, including ‘The Punch’ that the United States and United Kingdom governments have issued statements saying they do not recognise the Biafran passport.

The only reasonable reaction to that news report should be shock, unbelief, bewilderment and befuddlement. It is shockingly unbelievable that the governments of these two countries would even react to such a query.

The statement from the American embassy was purportedly issued by one Frank Sellin, the Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the consulate, saying, “The United States does not consider passports purporting to be from a Biafra entity to be a valid legal document for purposes of visa issuance.”

While the response from the British government came via a statement issued by the Press and Public Affairs Officer, British High Commission, Abuja, one Mr. Joe Abuku, saying, “The answer is unequivocally ‘no’. The UK does not recognise the so-called Biafran passport.
“The position of the UK Government during the Biafran War is a matter of historical record. The UK Government’s position, which reflected the Charter of the Organisation of African Unity, was to recognise the borders laid down at independence.
“The Biafran War caused great suffering and the UK supported the reconciliation work that followed the conflict. The UK supports the territorial integrity of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government’s commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians.”

Both statements should be taken with a pinch of salt. Don’t be surprised if within the next 24 hours, statements are issued, this time around, from the official Twitter accounts of the two governments, denying that those statements were ever made.

For the avoidance of doubt, Biafra is not a country and any passport issued bearing the Biafran Coat of Arms is not recognised by any country.

That fact goes without saying and diplomatic officials from these two countries have better things to do than responding to meaningless requests.

What next, a news report saying the US and UK have issued statements saying they do not recognise any passport issued by the Islamic State (Isis) or Boko Haram?

It is either that we have reached a stage in journalism in Nigeria where certain people are beginning to fabricate news or officials at the respective foreign missions of the US and the UK in Nigeria have no better use of their time any more.