Bob Dewar

Mutual interest in managing migration

Just back in Abuja having had some leave in the UK and participated in roundtable migration talks with senior Nigerian Government officials.  Once again a very useful opportunity to exchange views on all the different parts of this important agenda. 

The relationship with Nigeria is so much about people.  Naturally this turned out to be an opportunity for both sides to explain how they saw things and the outcome was very positive, although the main Nigerian concerns continue to be visas to the UK and the conditions for that.  We agreed that we must collaborate closely, including UK help for capacity building and reform.  We have a lot of contacts at all levels with all the relevant ministries, explaining latest development and policy, including the points-based system and as much information as possible is put on the internet.  But we all agreed to renew our efforts to do even more to ensure the best communication in both directions. 

We all have a mutual interest in managing migration, encouraging legitimate migration but discouraging illegal migrants and those who wish to do us harm.

Posted at 14:30 18 August 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

One team, working together for progress in Nigeria

On 4 May, signed a joint mission statement with colleagues Eamon Cassidy of DFID and Peter Upton of the British Council. The main message is that we are one team, working together for progress and positive change in Nigeria.

Text: " MISSION STATEMENT

We believe progress in Nigeria contributes to a better Britain. We want a true partnership with Nigeria and with Africa.

Our values are those of service, mutual respect, integrity, professionalism, dignity and honesty. We believe in valuing diversity and in working as one committed team.

We will act as a bridge between our countries and peoples. We believe the UK in Nigeria should work innovatively for positive change, understanding and co-operation.

We will share our values, knowledge, experience, skills and technology, encouraging international rules-based standards and thereby helping our partners transform their country, economy and institutions so that all Nigerians can have a better quality of life.

The work of many of us is to provide fast, efficient and effective high quality services and support. We want to minimise bureaucracy, take necessary risks and deliver- but not to compromise on standards.  

In partnership with stakeholders in Nigeria and West Africa, we are working for faster progress towards the Millennium Development Goals; equitable wealth creation and sustainable lower carbon growth; better governance and democratic standards; good management of bona fide migration; prevention of conflict and promotion of peace and security; prevention of radicalisation and terrorism; and stronger bilateral, regional and international co-operation against serious crime, without fear or favour, including money laundering, trafficking of drugs or people.  

In the process we aim to improve perceptions of the UK and to encourage constructive Nigerian leadership in Africa.

We seek to empower our staff and catalyse their personal potential within a healthy work-life balance and a safe and happy environment.

We hope, in this way, to make a real difference.

Bob Dewar   Eamon Cassidy   Peter Upton
High Commissioner  Head of DfID Nigeria  British Council Director

MAY 2009 "

Drove to Kaduna for a lively evening reception for over a hundred young people from all over the North, many of them University students, who have been involved in debates and outreach and dialogue organised by the 'Bridgebuilders' organisation which we support.

The Bridgebuilders, who are ecumenical and inter-faith, are helping open the minds of youngsters to the need for peaceful dialogue and understanding as the way of resolving ethnic, religious or other differences, rather than violence and conflict. It was great to hear directly from the young people how they believe in these principles.

This has to be an important message in the North and Middle of Nigeria where many different ethnic and religious groups (Muslim and Christian) live in close proximity and where there is also competition for resources and sometimes political power.

Tragically many lives were lost from violence in Jos some months ago- which followed controversial local elections- and also in Bauchi.

Posted at 12:25 18 May 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Migration and visas play a very important part in relationship with Nigeria

I got contacted several times about visas yesterday.  That's pretty normal here but it shows again how issuing visas to the UK is such an important part of the mission's work.

Indeed migration and visas play a very important part in relationship with Nigeria.  There has been a lot of change in the way we have been providing our visa services over the last year or two, including introduction of biometrics and outsourcing the first part of the visa application process to Visa Application Centres run by a private sector company.  The aim is of course to provide a customer-friendly professional service.

We have also been introducing a new points-based system which has been coming into effect stage by stage.  The newest tiers for skilled migration and temporary workers for example went 'live' on 27 November.  The idea is to have a managed migration scheme which is applied transparently, within which newcomers to the UK can earn the right to stay.  In addition we are simplifying the route for business visitors.  The point about the skilled workers tier is that these are occupations where the UK government thinks there are shortages so it is sensible for the positions to be opened to migrants - who can score points if they are applying to work in one of the particular occupations. 

A lot of time has been taken to explain all these changes to the Nigerian authorities and citizens - and all the information is on the website.  We welcome those who travel legitimately and who meet the rules.  And we believe that the visa services we provide are professional and to a high standard.  Equally there is zero tolerance for any applications that are put forward with fraudulent documents.

Posted at 16:31 22 December 2008 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[3]

The days are getting colder..

Just finished a few weeks of training in London. One thing I have learnt is that one can never stop learning and developing. One of the courses was ‘leadership’. I offered my views that leadership includes liberating others to fulfil their own potential.

I’m glad we’ve greatly increased the training budget in our missions in Nigeria. Helping staff to take learning and development seriously is win win for everyone. I hope the quality of our performance and the high standards we set for ourselves can also have some influence outside the mission.

The days are getting colder in Britain so I’m looking forward to getting back to some African heat! I’ve talked to many Government colleagues in different Ministries about our busy work schedule in months ahead. We hope to do a lot in partnership with our new Ministry of Energy and Climate Change for example. But almost every part of the UK government is working with Nigeria –which shows how foreign and domestic policies are one and the same. Better governance, legitimate migration, links to international standards and skills, good services – these are all basic elements of what we try to contribute to every day on the ground.

Had some very useful meetings with important British companies and banks doing business with Nigeria. They are all watching the situation carefully and want to make the right – constructive - judgements as things move forward. Had a friendly meeting with my opposite number, the Nigerian High Commissioner and also met the head of the association of Nigerians in the UK, who can really make a positive contribution back in Nigeria.

Posted at 17:29 29 October 2008 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

A good omen

Very busy last week accompanying Lord Malloch-Brown as he travelled around on a three day official visit to Lagos and Abuja. He is well known here as a constructive friend of Nigeria and Africa and was warmly received by President Yar'Adua.

He came to follow up the visit to London of the President and he met a great range of people ranging from Federal and State Governments (including the Governor of Lagos) to the Speaker and many stakeholders in the private sector and civil society. The discussions in all these meetings were very interesting and wide ranging as befits the rather special relationship between the two countries. From climate change to migration, from the need for better development and governance in the Niger Delta to electoral reform. We encourage all the reforms to go forward.

There was a rainbow in the distance at the goodbye do for Lord Malloch-Brown. A good omen.

Posted at 10:28 17 September 2008 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]