A France-based show promoter and founder of One Benin Fiesta Mr. Romaric Boso, has publicly criticized the French embassy in Nigeria for refusing to grant a visa to popular singer Adekunle Temitope, known by his stage name Small Doctor.
Boso stated that Small Doctor was scheduled to perform in France as part of the music artist’s Europe Tour. However, the French embassy in Nigeria denied him, citing concerns that he might not return if granted a visa.
Boso said the ground for the visa rejection was laughable as apart from being a household name in France, the headline artist, Small Doctor is renowned entertainer in the African entertainment scene.
According to him: “So, there was no basis for any suspicions about the artiste and others returning to their base after the show.”
Boso also said that despite his reputation as one of the registered show promoters in France, he is having difficulties getting visas for artistes billed to perform at his One Benin Fiesta show initially scheduled for July 6, 2024 but shifted to August as a result of the difficulty in securing visa for the artistes billed to perform.
According to Boco, the headline artiste for the One Benin Fiesta is Small Doctor who is expected in France with others including a Disc Jockey (DJ) and others.
Providing relevant documents to back up his claims, Boco said that he followed due process. And did everything that was required by the French embassy in Nigeria.
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Narrating his ordeal, the disappointed show promoter alleged that he lost a lot of money after investing heavily on the show including payment of deposit for the show venue and other expenses. Now, he was forced to postpone the show to the end of August, 2024.
Besides being a platform for the promotion of cultural diversity, the proceeds from the tour is used for the One Benin Zero Poverty project, an initiative promoting entrepreneurship in Africa and the fight against illegal immigration of young people in West Africa.
Boco also urged African leaders to step up efforts in reducing the high rate of unfair visa rejection by foreign embassies.