PeakNews Online
Abuja, Nigeria – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is dedicated to strengthening its relationship with Nigeria, according to the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi.
This commitment was expressed during a visit by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, following the removal of the visa ban by the UAE.
In a statement issued by Gabriel Odu of NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit, the visit aimed to reinforce areas of mutual partnership and collaboration beneficial to both countries.
Al-Shamsi confirmed that the visa ban on Nigeria has been officially lifted and clarified that the Visa on Arrival policy has been canceled for all countries. However, he assured that new procedures are in place to facilitate tourism and ensure the safe return of travelers. He expressed his commitment to providing exceptional services for Nigerians, supported by the proactive Nigerian government. Al-Shamsi also acknowledged the UAE’s role in safely repatriating 96 Nigerians at no cost.
Marking his one-year anniversary as the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Al-Shamsi shared his positive experiences in Nigeria, describing it as a beautiful country with warm-hearted people who share similar cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds with the UAE. He expressed eagerness to continue collaborating with NiDCOM to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa stated that NiDCOM intends to engage and sensitize Nigerians in the UAE to be exemplary ambassadors of both their country of stay and origin. She emphasized the importance of excelling in their endeavors and maintaining a connection to their homeland. This initiative aims to foster better understanding and compliance with local regulations.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that 190 Nigerians have been repatriated back to the country, with an additional 250 expected to return soon. She highlighted that the actions of individuals in a host country can significantly impact the overall image of their home country and acknowledged the role of Western media imperialism in perpetuating negative stereotypes about Nigerians.
