from Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has lobbied against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government’s sweeping visa ban on Nigerians.
Buhari, in a phone conversation with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, called for the lifting of the ban as Emir of Abu Dhabi, according to a statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant for Media and Propaganda Garba Shehu. ,on Monday.
Important issues of mutual concern to both countries arose during President Buhari’s call to Nahyan to express his condolences on the death of his mother-in-law, Sheikha Mariam Farasi.
According to the statement, President Buhari asked his Emirati counterparts to review the blanket visa ban imposed on Nigerians intending to travel to the UAE, recalling that the two countries have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship over the years, marked by strong economic interactions and regular trade deals. Consultations on issues of mutual concern, including contacts at the highest political level.
He noted that the recent irritation in bilateral relations caused by consular issues related to the behavior of some Nigerians in the UAE was being addressed, explaining that criminal and illegal acts are not condoned by any country, including Nigeria.
President Buhari assured the Nigerian government’s readiness to impose the necessary sanctions through the due judicial process on anyone found guilty of criminal acts in the UAE and urged the relevant security/intelligence agencies of both countries to be allowed to deal with the issue in the country and to provide support for crimes and violations of the law. Propose durable solutions to behavior-related problems.
President Buhari also called for the resumption of the suspended operations of Emirates Airline in the country.
Emirates suspended operations in Nigeria in 2022 due to the inability to repatriate funds stranded in Nigeria.
President Buhari assured UAE leaders that Emirates’ funding issues were being given the same attention as those of other foreign airlines operating in Nigeria, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria had been directed to increase foreign exchange for the airline. distribute.