Musa Pam, Jos 
The Director General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari, has said the travel ban placed on Nigeria by the United Kingdom due to the emergence of the Omicron variant was unfair and bad for the economy.
Ari stated this on Tuesday during a media forum organised by the Correspondent’s chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Plateau State Council in Jos, the state capital.
He said Nigeria was one of the countries which has a large number of travellers around the world with a high number engaging in businesses which boosts the economy of the country.
“I think it is very unfair for Nigeria to be placed under such a red alert by the United Kingdom after just three samples of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was gotten in the country.
“Nigerians are amongst those who travel regularly and in large volumes, so this will have an effect on the economy, we have already seen the reaction of the world towards Nigeria with the emergence of Omicron and that is very unfortunate,” he said.
Ari, however, said that with the government’s outcry and observation, he believed that the UK Government would have everything to rescind it’s decision.
The Director General was also relieved that Nigeria was not been badly hit by COVID-19 like other nations adding that the proactive processes in combating the virus in Nigeria must be commended.