Lagos, UAE Mull Partnership On Traffic Management, Security

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared his administration’s readiness to partner with the government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the areas of traffic management and security.

The Governor disclosed this when he received the Consul-General of the UAE Consulate in Nigeria, Dr Abdulla Al-Mandoos in Alausa at the weekend.

Sanwo-Olu noted that UAE, in the last decade, had become a choice destination for Nigerian tourists and businessmen. This revelation, the Governor said, should deepen the existing bilateral agreements between Nigeria and UAE.

He said: “As a government, we have several things to learn from the story of UAE’s transformation. Dubai, which is the country’s commercial hub, shares so many similarities with Lagos. This is why I am elated to receive Dr. Al-mandoos and we welcome him.

"Let me disclose that, Lagos is ready to deepen the relationship between the two countries and we are working on collaborations in traffic management and security," the Governor reiterated.

Sanwo-Olu said there would also be collaborations in harnessing Lagos cultural potential to expand local tourism business. He expressed optimism that the envoy’s visit would deepen trade and yield positive results for both countries.

“We are hoping that in your tenure, we shall further expand and grow the relationship of the two countries,” the Governor said.

Responding, Dr. Al-mandoos said the aim of his visit was to get cooperation and support of Lagos government on various areas of interest between Lagos and UAE.

The diplomat promised there would be collaborations in the areas of security and education, noting that the partnership would assist the state to improve its tourism potential.

He said: “It’s my pleasure to meet the Governor of Lagos to consolidate our cooperation and good friendship over the years. My government is looking at supporting Lagos in several areas, which include education and security. This partnership, we believe, will promote businesses and stability of our countries.”

Dr Al-mandoos leveraged the meeting to push the consulate’s land request to the Governor to build its office and a cultural centre.

The envoy said the proposed cultural centre would assist the two countries to build a strong socio-cultural bond, which would further strengthen their relationship.

UAE Denies Stopping Issuance Of 3 Months Visa To Nigerians

The United Arab Emirates Embassy in Nigeria has denied suspending or stopping the issuance of three months visa to Nigerians traveling to the country as a result of a robbery allegedly involving five Nigerians in Dubai. File: Visa CARDS The embassy in its Twitter handle @UAEEmbassyNGR said: “In the light of the press report published this morning (Thursday 4/4/2019) alleging that the United Arab Emirates has suspended issuing tourist Visa to Nigerian nationals, the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Abuja would like to announce this news are inaccurate and stresses the importance of sourcing news from its official channel”.

Meanwhile, the mission told newsmen in Abuja on Friday that “there were no changes in the visa policy at all”.the embassy said: “In light of the press reports published this morning, and alleging that the United Arab Emirates has suspended issuing tourist visas to Nigerian nationals, the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Abuja would like to announce this news are inaccurate, and stresses the importance of getting the news from its official channels.

‘’ Five Nigerians allegedly broke into a Bureau De Change in Sharjah Area of Dubai and robbed it. Shortly after the incident, a travel and tours agent, Africholidays, issued a statement online that Nigerian passport holders were no longer entitled to three months visa in UAE. Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs, has described the action as disgraceful.

The news was given undue credence after it was shared by many Nigerian influencers.

The rumoured suspension was ignited by the arrest of five Nigerians for armed robbery in UAE’s third largest city Sharjah

Although Sharjah Police Department told a press conference on March 31 that the five persons who were alleged to have stolen Dh2.3 million from Al Ansari Exchange were “Africans nationals,” Khaleej Times said the persons were Nigerians.

According to the police, most of the stolen money has been recovered.

Many Nigerians visit UAE, especially Dubai, on business trips.