The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has announced that the Federal Government will soon repatriate an additional 250 Nigerians from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This follows the recent repatriation of 190 Nigerians from the UAE, underscoring the government’s ongoing efforts to assist citizens abroad.
On Tuesday, a total of 190 Nigerians returned to the country and were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 5:57 a.m.
The returnees were welcomed by a combined team of government officials led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
This effort is part of a series of repatriations, which saw 542 Nigerians brought back from the UAE in October 2023.
Dabiri-Erewa made the announcement during a visit to the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Al-Shamsi, in Abuja.
She highlighted NiDCOM’s plan to engage and educate Nigerians living in the UAE about being good ambassadors for both the UAE and Nigeria.
The initiative aims to promote understanding and compliance with local regulations, ensuring that Nigerians abroad positively represent their country.
In a statement released by the commission’s spokesperson, Gabriel Odu, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the importance of excelling in their endeavours while abroad and maintaining a strong connection to their homeland.
She stressed that the actions of individuals in a host country significantly impact the overall image of their home country and addressed the role of Western media in perpetuating negative stereotypes about Nigerians.
During the meeting, Ambassador Al-Shamsi clarified that the visa-on-arrival policy had been cancelled not just for Nigeria, but for all countries.
He confirmed that the visa ban on Nigeria has been officially lifted and explained that new procedures are in place to facilitate tourism and ensure the safe return of travelers.
Al-Shamsi expressed his commitment to providing optimal services for Nigerians, with the support of the Nigerian government.
He acknowledged the UAE’s efforts in safely repatriating 96 Nigerians at no cost and shared his positive experiences during his first year as the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria.
He praised Nigeria as a beautiful country with warm-hearted people who share cultural, religious, and ethnic similarities with the UAE, and expressed eagerness to continue working with NiDCOM to strengthen bilateral ties.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
