Tinubu Orders Quick Resolution Of Issues With UAE On Emirate Airline, Visa… 

President Bola Tinubu yesterday directed that issues affecting relations with the Emirates Airline, and issuance of visas to Nigerians should be “immediately’’ resolved, emphasizing that he stands prepared to “personally’’ intervene.

President Tinubu stated this while receiving Letters of Credence from three envoys at the State House; Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mr Awall Wagris Mohammed; Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, Mrs Miriam Morales Palmero, and Ambassador of United Arab Emirate, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi.

While receiving the UAE ambassador, Tinubu said “we are a family with UAE, we only live in separate rooms, but we are in the same house. We should look at the issues as a family problem, and resolve it amicably.

“As you know in every family, there are peculiarities. You can have an erring son, or daughter, but we must work together. We need to agree on core aviation and immigration issues,” the president stated in a statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.

The Ambassador of UAE said he already sees himself as a “Nigerian’’ considering the historical antecedents of the country, its long-standing leadership role in Africa, and its reputation for hospitality to strangers.

“Since I arrived in the country, I have been working on 24 agreements. We are getting somewhere. These are small issues, all within a family, and they will be resolved. I am grateful to be here in Nigeria.

I am also very grateful to meet His Excellency, President Tinubu, who is a great leader in Nigeria, and Africa. Please accept me as a Nigerian and consider me a member of your team,” he appealed.

Tinubu also said African countries have a better chance of overcoming economic and security challenges by looking inward for solutions and walking the talk on all of its pledges and agreements.

In a side meeting with the Ambassador of Ethiopia, the president assured the envoy that Nigeria will continue to strengthen its ties with African countries in the areas of trade, security, and economic growth.