TheCable

Osita Chidoka, former minister of aviation, says the federal government must not allow Emirates Airlines to resume operations in Nigeria without being held accountable for their “disrespectful and demeaning conduct”.

In October 2022, Emirates Airlines suspended flight operations to Nigeria over its inability to repatriate $85 million in revenue trapped in Nigeria.

In the same month, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) immigration authorities announced a ban on visa applications from Nigerians.

On November 19, 2023, Keyamo said Emirates Airlines would soon announce the exact date of their resumption, adding that the federal government was working on some details concerning the resumption.

Six months later, Emirates Airlines said flight operations to Nigeria will resume on October 1.

Reacting to the development in a statement on Wednesday, Chidoka said the return of the airline to Nigeria is a “sad reminder of the deepening lack of national pride and the growing irrelevance of Nigeria in the World”.

According to Chidoka, the audacity of the airline to return to Nigeria “reeks the 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 said.

“During 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’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.

“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 dehumanisation of Nigerians.”

‘OUR SOVEREIGNTY IS NOT FOR SALE’

Chidoka also said the country must not accept the return of the airline, adding that Nigeria’s “sovereignty was not for sale”.

According to the former minister, Emirates Airlines’ return never came with an apology, hence Nigerians 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,” Chidoka said.

“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 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.”

Chidoka also said the current administration must reaffirm the country’s priceless sovereignty at all times.