Nigeria asks Gates to prove he can pay his way
9 October 2007 01:52PM
Tags:
nigeria | asks | gates | prove | he | pay
The Nigerian government recently questioned whether Microsoft chairman Bill Gates could afford to support himself during a planned visit to the African country.
According to a report on Gizmodo, Nigerian officials required proof that the world's richest man would not reside in Nigeria indefinitely and cause a strain on social services before granting him a visa.
Travel and visa assistance company CIBT helped Gates to overcome the problem by obtaining a letter from his bank vouching for his personal wealth. The Nigerian government then issued Gates with his visa.
Forbes recently announced that Gates has retained his standing at the top of the Rich List with a personal fortune estimated at $59bn.
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Comments: 4
I'm not surprised. Nigeria must be a very expensive country to live in, because I regularly get email from Nigerian friends with much more than $59bn in their bank accounts, but even high-ranking government officials are reduced to using Hotmail!
Posted by
John Doe,
Oct 9, 2007 4:06 PM
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I believe that this is a usual practice as relate to issuance of visas in all embassies of the world. Everyone must be able to present a statement from his/her bank to confirm financial standing. Gates or anyone else should not be an exception. Nigeria is one of the cheapest country to live in. You are invited to Nigeria!
Posted by
Thompson Amaefule,
Oct 9, 2007 6:38 PM
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This type of stupid comment from John Doe could only come from arrogant mind. It has to do with one's level of exposure and education which many lack.
Posted by
Dele Ola,
Oct 10, 2007 2:43 AM
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I am in support of the Embassy request for financial standing information from everyone. Bill Gates should not be an exception.
I am sure if the richest man in Nigeria is travelling to the USA, the US Embassy staff will ask for the same financial standing information.
Posted by
Ola Ogunlana,
Oct 10, 2007 3:20 AM
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