President Bola Tinubu led administration, has been caught in another web of lie as the government of United Arab Emirates, has refused to confirm the lifting of visa ban on Nigerians as earlier insinuated by the spokesman of the President, Mr Ngelale Ajure in a statement.
NewsBand reported on Monday that after a historic meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of United Arab Emirates, the visa ban which was placed on Nigerians under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was lifted.
Ngelale also disclosed that both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.
But a report by Emirates News Agency about the meeting between the two leaders is entirely different from what was disclosed by the Nigerian Presidency.
However, a news report about the meeting by the UAE news agency didn’t mention any of the developments disclosed by the presidential spokesman on Monday.
The news report by the UAE media agency reads, “During the meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed renewed his congratulations to Tinubu on assuming the presidency earlier this year, and wished him every success in leading Nigeria and its people to further progress and prosperity.
“His Highness expressed his hope that the two leaders will work together to reinforce ties between the UAE and Nigeria for the benefit of both countries.
“The UAE President and Nigerian President explored opportunities for further bilateral collaboration in areas that serve both countries’ sustainable economic growth, including the economic, development, energy, and climate action fields.
“The two sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international developments of interest.
“The meeting discussed the upcoming COP28 climate conference set to take place in the UAE later this year, with both parties stressing the vital importance of encouraging and enabling international cooperation to tackle global issues, including climate change.
“His Highness underscored the UAE’s ongoing commitment to fostering ties with countries that share the same aspirations for stability, sustainable growth, and development and prosperity for their people. He further emphasised the particular importance the UAE attaches to its relationship with Nigeria, within the framework of its strategic vision for relations with the African continent.
“The President of Nigeria expressed his pleasure to be visiting the UAE and affirmed his country’s keenness to further enhance bilateral cooperation to support sustainable development and progress in both countries.
“The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; and Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
“The meeting was also attended by the delegation accompanying the Nigerian President, which included a number of ministers and high-ranking officials”
Meanwhile, the UAE’s silence on the issue has led to speculation that the ban may not have been lifted.
Also, on Tuesday, the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, in what appears to be a face saving move, said that the two countries are still working out the details of the agreement, and that an official announcement will be made in respect to that soon.
He said, “Given the agreement struck between the two Heads of State, there is need to allow cabinet officials from both sides to work out the finer details and finalize the cross-sectoral agreements. Everyone can now allow the process to work itself out organically, devoid of speculation.”