NIGERIAN President Bola Tinubu says he will “personally’’ intervene in the diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates – UAE.
Tinubu made the comment on Thursday as he directed that issues affecting relations with the Emirates Airline, and issuance of visas to Nigerians be resolved “immediately’’, according to a statement by the President’s Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.
“We are a family with the 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 was quoted as saying when he received the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates – UAE, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, at the State House in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
On his part, the UAE Ambassador 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.