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Emirates Airlines: Nigeria has grown in irrelevance among nations

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Emirates Airlines: Nigeria has grown in irrelevance among nations

The return of Emirates Airlines to Nigeria routes has been greeted with mixed reactions following the announcement by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.

 

Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria, Osita Chidoka, said the return of Emirates Airlines showed how Nigeria has grown in irrelevance under All Progressives Congress (APC) administrations.

 

In October 2022, under former President Buhari’s administration, Emirates Airlines announced indefinite suspension of flights to Nigeria. Also, the United Arab Emirates ordered visa ban for all Nigerians.

 

However, on Thursday, May 16, Festus Keyamo, announced that Emirates Airlines would commence flights into the country on October 20. The UAE government is yet to lift the visa ban on all Nigerians. Despite Tinubu’s official business visit to get the visa ban removed, UAE government is yet to lift the ban.

 

While Keyamo described the Emirates Airlines October return as big announcement on his X handle, “Now, the big announcement we have all been waiting for has been officially made by Emirates Airlines”, Chidoka said it was sad that in Nigeria recent governments worths nothing in the eyes of international corporations and countries.

 

Chidoka said the national pride of Nigeria has deepened. He questioned the audacity of Emirates Airlines to suspend flights to Nigeria having enjoyed benefits from previous governments.

 

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On Wednesday, May 22, the former Aviation Minister said, “The audacity of Emirates Airlines to even consider returning to Nigeria reeks of contempt and disdain towards our nation. The actions of the government of UAE and their airline, Emirates, from the unwarranted visa ban on all Nigerians to the suspension of flights, have been nothing short of a blatant attack on the dignity of Nigerians.”

 

He disclosed that during his time as Aviation Minister, “Emirates Airlines enjoyed an unprecedented two slots to Lagos and one slot to Abuja granted by my predecessor and sustained over the years. This gesture showed Nigeria’s desire to forge close relationships and build regional alliances in the Gulf.”

 

“Yet, when Nigeria faced economic challenges, Emirates shamelessly abandoned us while other airlines stood by us. Emirates Airlines, arguably the wealthiest airline in the world, was the only airline that suspended operations,” he regretted.

 

He added, “All the African and European Airlines, equally owed by the Nigerian government, continued operating and weathered the storm with us as a people—a remarkable show of solidarity and a vote of confidence on a market they had enjoyed for decades.

 

“Emirates Airlines, like UAE’s Mubadala, the major investor in Etisalat Nigeria, fled at the first sign of trouble, leaving Nigerians stranded and insulted by their mean behaviour. They did not just walk away. The UAE government imposed an egregious visa ban on all Nigerians.

 

“The imposition of a visa ban on all Nigerians is an unwarranted and vile display of aggression and dehumanization of Nigerians.

 

“Nigerians must say no to the unjustified stigmatization and degradation of Nigerians, almost akin to the ghettos of 20th-century Europe. A national visa ban suggests a desire to humiliate and cast a slur on a people as a group.

 

“The behaviour of the UAE government and their Airline is an unprovoked attack, and Nigeria should insist on a wholesome redress. As we speak, there is no word yet on the visa ban and no apology to Nigerians.”

 

The former Aviation Minister advised the federal government to sanction Emirates Airlines to pay for what he described as disrespectful and demeaning conduct. He added that the sovereignty of Nigeria remained priceless and must be protected by the federal government.

 

“The Nigerian government must not allow Emirates Airlines to waltz back into our skies without being held accountable for their disrespectful and demeaning conduct. We demand a thorough investigation and restitution before even considering their return.

 

“Respect for our nation and people is non-negotiable and an irreducible minimum. We will not allow our pride to be trampled upon by arrogant corporations or foreign governments,” he said.