The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah, has lamented what he described as discriminatory monetary restrictions towards Nigerians overseas, recounting how he was required to acquire particular authorisation to withdraw his personal cash from a Vatican financial institution.
Onah mentioned the restriction was based mostly on his Nigerian origin, regardless of his place as a Catholic bishop, describing the expertise as each amusing and worsening.
The cleric made the disclosure whereas addressing an viewers in a video shared by NigeriaStories on X on Wednesday, the place he narrated his current expertise on the Vatican Bank and raised issues about restrictions allegedly focusing on Nigerians in search of to entry monetary providers in Italy.
According to him, the event has made life harder for Nigerians dwelling overseas, as their nationality has turn into an impediment in accessing providers out there to different folks.
“For us Nigerians, the actual fact that you’re a Nigerian is an issue. Complicates life for you. Those of you who’re right here in Italy and you’re Nigerians, and you lately sought to open accounts with PostPay, I don’t know whether or not you succeeded.
“But you no longer can. The rule is only for Nigerians,” he mentioned.
Recounting his expertise on the Vatican Bank, Onah mentioned he visited the establishment two days earlier to withdraw cash from his account however was knowledgeable that he wanted authorisation from the administration or secretariat as a result of he had exceeded the permitted money withdrawal restrict.
He mentioned the event stunned him as a result of he had not encountered such a requirement beforehand.
“I was amused and also a little irritated. It wasn’t that way before,” the bishop mentioned.
According to Onah, a priest, Father Johnson, who accompanied him, sought clarification from the financial institution on whether or not the restriction utilized to everybody or particularly to bishops.
He mentioned the response indicated that the rule was tied to the native land.
“So I requested Father Johnson, who was with me, actually was the one who requested, is that this for everyone or just for bishops? And the reply was stunning.
“Depende da dove e nato. It depends on where you were born. So this rule is specific, targeting Nigerians,” he mentioned.
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