Photo Credit: Minister of State’s media team
Hajj Reporters
The Nigerian Government has formally requested the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to loft the travel ban imposed on Nigerians over the outbreak of Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The request was made by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada when he met with the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Faisal bin Ebraheem Al-Ghamdi on Thursday in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Zubairu Dada appealed to the Saudi Authorities to “as a matter of urgency review the travel restrictions placed on Nigerians over the Omicron outbreak as already done by many countries who have earlier banned Nigeria but have since reversed their stand having studied the achievements of Nigeria so far in the fight against the Omicron Variant and the Corona Virus Pandemic in general”.
Ambassador Dada stated that although Nigeria had understood fully that the reason for the ban by Saudi Arabia was in the best interest of its citizens, he added that the steps taken so far by Nigerian Authorities to curtail the spread of the Omicron Variant have made its possible for many countries to consider Nigeria as safe and removed it from the list blacklisted countries.
He commended the cordial relationship that existed for many years and continue to exist between the two countries.
While expressing optimism for a timely response on Nigeria’s request from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Minister also pledged to continue to give every necessary support and cooperation to the Ambassador in the discharge of his responsibilities.
Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs hosts Saudi Ambassador
The Saudi Arabian Ambassador, Faisal bin Ebraheem Al-Ghamdi while responding expressed satisfaction with the efforts the government is making to contain the spread of Omicron and promised to convey Nigeria’s message to the relant Authorities back home in Saudi Arabia
He said just like in Nigeria where there are bodies in charge of monitoring the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia also has similar agencies that are responsible for monitoring and making recommendations on the pandemic.
Ambassador Al-Ghamdi used the opportunity of the meeting to thank the Minister for his commitment to improve bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
