President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken immediate action to address the issues affecting relations between Nigeria and the Emirates Airline, including the ongoing visa issuance problem.
In a statement released by Aguri Ngelale, Media and Publicity Adviser to the President, Tinubu expressed his commitment to personally intervene in the matter during a meeting with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, at the Villa on Thursday.
Tinubu emphasized the need for resolving these issues as a family. He stated, “We are a family in the UAE; we may live in separate rooms, but we share the same house. We must approach these matters as family problems and resolve them amicably. In every family, there are unique challenges. We may have an erring son or daughter, but we must work together. We need to find common ground on crucial aviation and immigration matters.”
The UAE Ambassador expressed his affinity towards Nigeria, considering the country’s historical background, longstanding leadership role in Africa, and its reputation for hospitality towards strangers. He said, “Since my arrival in the country, I have been working on 24 agreements. Progress is being made, and I believe these are minor issues that can be resolved within a family. I am grateful to be here in Nigeria and to meet His Excellency President Tinubu, a distinguished leader in Nigeria and Africa. Please consider me as part of your team and accept me as a Nigerian.”
This development comes at a time when Emirate Airlines suspended flights to Nigeria due to financial issues.
