Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Osita Chidoka, has expressed opposition to the resumption of Emirates Airline\u2019s operations in Nigeria.<\/p>\n
In a statement on X.com on Wednesday, Chidoka condemned the United Arab Emirates government and Emirates Airline for their \u201cblatant attack on the dignity of Nigerians\u201d through the unwarranted visa ban and suspension of flights.<\/p>\n
Chidoka said 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.<\/p>\n
The statement read, \u201cNo to the return of Emirates Airlines to Nigeria. The gleeful announcement of the return of Emirates Airline to Nigeria by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on X is a sad reminder of the deepening lack of national pride and the growing irrelevance of Nigeria in the world.<\/p>\n
\u2018The 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring my 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\u2019s desire to forge close relationships and build regional alliances in the Gulf.<\/p>\n
\u201cYet, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that during Nigeria\u2019s economic challenges, other African and European airlines, who were also owed money by the Nigerian government chose to continue operating in the country and stand in solidarity with its people, demonstrating confidence in the market they had been serving for decades.<\/p>\n
He added that Emirates Airlines and UAE\u2019s Mubadala, a major investor in Etisalat Nigeria, abruptly abandoned Nigeria during a time of economic challenge, leaving Nigerians stranded and insulted. Furthermore, the UAE government imposed a sweeping visa ban on all Nigerians, exacerbating the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe imposition of a visa ban on all Nigerians is an unwarranted and vile display of aggression and dehumanisation of Nigerians.<\/p>\n
\u201cNigerians must say no to the unjustified stigmatisation 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Chidoka called for a thorough investigation and restitution before considering the airline\u2019s return, stressing that \u201crespect for our nation and people is non-negotiable\u201d and that Nigeria\u2019s sovereignty must be reaffirmed at all times.<\/p>\n
\u201cRespect 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis administration must reaffirm our priceless sovereignty at all times. Our sovereignty is not for sale,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Osita Chidoka, has expressed opposition to the resumption of Emirates Airline\u2019s operations in Nigeria. In a statement on X.com on Wednesday, Chidoka condemned…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-112073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n