In a surprising turn of events, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has deported Zimbabwean Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatawi for allegedly violating the terms of his tourist visa. According to an announcement by The Nigerian Stories on their X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Bishop was found to be actively participating in the Methodist Church leadership election process while in Nigeria on a tourist visa.
The deportation, which has sent ripples through both religious and diplomatic circles, highlights the Nigerian government’s strict enforcement of visa regulations, particularly concerning foreign nationals engaging in activities beyond the scope of their visas. Bishop Nhiwatawi’s involvement in the church’s internal election was deemed a breach of his visa conditions, which explicitly prohibited such participation.
This incident raises critical questions about the oversight and conduct of foreign religious leaders within Nigeria. The Methodist Church, known for its global reach and influence, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the deportation of Bishop Nhiwatawi. However, this development is likely to spark debate within the religious community and beyond, as questions arise about the potential implications for international religious engagements in Nigeria.
What’s your take on this? Should religious leaders be more cautious about their activities while on foreign soil, or does this incident signal an overreach by immigration authorities? The debate continues as observers weigh the balance between national sovereignty and religious freedoms.
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