Yar’Adua Orders Investigation Of Maltreatment Of Nigerians By Foreign Airlines

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?t...00804233293865

By Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja: Published: Wednesday, 23 Apr 2008

President Umaru Yar’Adua has directed the Minister of State for Transportation in charge of Aviation, Mr. Felix Hyatt, to investigate reports of maltreatment of Nigerian passengers by foreign airlines.

The President, according to a source in the Presidency, was particularly miffed at an incident that took place on March 27, 2008, in which British Airways allegedly ordered over 100 Nigerians off its London–Lagos bound flight.

The passengers were reportedly protesting the brutal treatment of a Nigerian deportee aboard the flight.

The source said that Yar’Adua also directed the Aviation Minister to officially notify all foreign airlines operating in the country that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate the maltreatment of Nigerian passengers aboard their aircraft.

The source added that Yar’Adua expressed disgust at the nonchalant attitude of British Airways officials in response to the incident.

The President, it was learnt, also asked the minister to furnish him with a report of the development on the completion of the investigation.

The source explained that the President had so far not received any official report on the British Airways incident, and was only informed by reports in the media.

The source said, “The President is said to be concerned by the recent resurgence of complaints about the poor treatment, discrimination and downright abuse meted out to Nigerians by some foreign airlines operating in the country.

“The President has also directed the Minister to make it absolutely clear to all foreign airlines operating in Nigeria that under no circumstance will his administration tolerate the subjection of Nigerian passengers to less than acceptable standards of treatment.”

In another development, the President on Tuesday telephoned Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), in London to convey his personal best wishes to him on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary.

Vade Mecum  # 1 | 22.04.2008 20:43

Yar’Adua Orders Investigation Of Maltreatment Of Nigerians By Foreign Airlines http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200804233293865 By Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja: Published: Wednesday, 23 Apr 2008 President Umaru Yar’Adua has directed the Minister of State for Transportation in charge of Aviation, Mr. Felix Hyatt, to investigate reports of maltreatment of Nigerian passengers by foreign airlines. The President, according to a source in the Presidency, was particularly miffed at an incident that took place on March 27, 2008, in which British Airways allegedly ordered over 100 Nigerians off its London–Lagos bound flight. The passengers were reportedly protesting the brutal treatment of a Nigerian deportee aboard the flight. The source said that Yar’Adua also directed the Aviation Minister to officially notify all foreign airlines operating in the country that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate the maltreatment of Nigerian passengers aboard their aircraft. The source added that Yar’Adua expressed disgust at the nonchalant attitude of British Airways officials in response to the incident. The President, it was learnt, also asked the minister to furnish him with a report of the development on the completion of the investigation. The source explained that the President had so far not received any official report on the British Airways incident, and was only informed by reports in the media. The source said, “The President is said to be concerned by the recent resurgence of complaints about the poor treatment, discrimination and downright abuse meted out to Nigerians by some foreign airlines operating in the country. “The President has also directed the Minister to make it absolutely clear to all foreign airlines operating in Nigeria that under no circumstance will his administration tolerate the subjection of Nigerian passengers to less than acceptable standards of treatment.” In another development, the President on Tuesday telephoned Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), in London to convey his personal best wishes to him on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary.

emj  # 2 | 22.04.2008 20:54

The source explained that the President had so far not received any official report on the British Airways incident, and was only informed by reports in the media. Hmmm.....which means that our Embassy did not brief the Presidency....chei, lets copy da President then:eek::p PS>>>>.finally, dem don dey wake up from slumber.

Abraxas  # 3 | 22.04.2008 23:07

Hi, folks! For over a fortnight now, Nigerians worldwide have been expressing their complete disgust, specifically at the shabby treatment given to some 136 passengers of the British Airways recently at Heathrow Airport, London, and generally at the unacceptable sustained downgrading of the collective self worth of Nigerians by almost EVERY foreign airline that operates in Nigeria, vis-a-vis the quality of services they provide their Nigerian customers, especially in the Nigerian segment of their intercontinental itinerary. One would have thought that, EVEN without the unprecedented outpouring of opprobrium at the BA show of shame by Nigerians worldwide, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Nigerian High Commission in London, would have forcefully and effectively placed the ugly incident on the front burner with the appropriate authorities in the United Kingdom, unequivocally. It is indeed ironic that the incumbent Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, has of recent been ranting profusely about his so-called new wave "Citizen Diplomacy", being the centrepiece of Nigeria's foreign policy thrust. Come to think about it: Citizen Diplomacy presupposes that the individual Nigerian, wherever he may be, has the right, even the duty, to help shape Nigeria's foreign relations for the benefit of Nigeria. Indeed, the concept of citizen diplomacy is driven by a responsibility to engage with the rest of the world in meaningful, and mutually beneficial interactions with Nigeria. That, precisely, was what Mr. Ayodeji Omotade did on behalf of Nigeria, and got himself painfully victimized by the British authorities. It is unfortunate, indeed a tragedy that both the Nigerian High Commission, and Chief Ojo Maduekwe have not yet found it obligatory to respond "fire-for-fire" at the palpably patronizing treatment, especially towards Mr. Ayodeji Omotade, and the 136 other Nigerian passengers on board the aforementioned BA aircraft, by the British officials at Heathrow Airport. With the benefit of hindsight, it seems like the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs was only interested in receiving the Nigerian deportee who happened to be the only Nigerian passenger deemed fit by British Airways to fly the Economy Class back to Nigeria, on the day of the incident! Citizen diplomacy my nyash! Citizen diplomacy n'a gba ara! Citizen diplomacy n'e ri nsi! {Com'o't, jo, make man see climate ... Nonsense!} Muchas gracias. Don Juan-Carlos ABRAXAS (III)

Showcase  # 4 | 22.04.2008 23:36

=emj;4295008585>Hmmm.....which means that our Embassy did not brief the Presidency....chei, lets copy da President then:eek::p PS>>>>.finally, dem don dey wake up from slumber. Why would the embassy brief the president when none of the aggrieved passengers is their kin? Sometimes, you wonder what they do in those embassies but dress in suits, drink tea and taste wine. Other countries represent their nationales in foreign land, our president waits for the media to brief him...sad

Ranter  # 5 | 23.04.2008 01:53

The embassy staff are just happy to be there. doing something about 136 "disruptive passengers" would tantamount to drawing undue attention to themselves.

Abraxas  # 6 | 23.04.2008 06:10

Hi, folks! As far as I can see, the buck stops right on the desk of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, (Analytical Chemist) Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (GCFR), who, incidentally, has reacted effectively about the matter, despite the fact that he was away in Germany, on medical check-up, for the better part of the time that the saga brewed. The question now is: What the fuqck has President UMY'A's minister of Foreign Affairs, and "citizen diplomacy" guru, Chief Ojo Maduekwe done to date to augment the posture of his boss on this festering matter of BA's brazen paternalism since 27 March 2008? Surely, Nigerian politicians will just have to start coming to terms with the self-evident fact that public office goes beyond lobbying for lucrative portfolios at the PDP secretariat. Indeed, it is obvious that the incumbent minister of Foreign Affairs has escalated way beyond the limits of his competence. Yes, there is more to service to the nation than deft partisan political manoeuvres! At this juncture, one wonders aloud what kind of service that ambassadors like Colonel (Dr.) Ambassador (Senator) Ahmodu Ali (GCON), the immediate past PDP garrison commander, and party National Chairman, would offer hapless Nigerians at his overseas duty post (wherever that may be), under the absurd administrative and functional supervision of the retired colonel's former subordinate, and loyal arsehole licker at the PDP National Secretariat, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, the honourable minister of Foreign Affairs! Muchas gracias. Don Juan-Carlos ABRAXAS (III)

Big-K  # 7 | 23.04.2008 06:30

This is one of the dividends of having an EDUCATED President. Thanks, Mr President. Folks, If you have not done so, please sign the petition on the home page and spread the word about the boycott of BA from next week - unless they meet the stated demands.

okenikpoto  # 8 | 23.04.2008 06:35

At last we can confidently say that we have a listening President. Heard the guy is very sick, I am praying for him, he is a leader I can call my President.

Balo  # 9 | 23.04.2008 06:39

Whilst the intervention of the Presidency is to be welcomed, this particular issue remains ours to be fought. The villagers and Nigerians who have helped raise the awareness of this unfortunate event must continue to re-energise the campaign with as much passion and conviction as they can. This is not a mere matter of politics but more importantly - human dignity.

Olu Affairs  # 10 | 23.04.2008 08:45

Competent and aptly qualified people are supposed to be at the helm of state affairs, not in Nigeria where Presidents, Governors, ministers, ambassadors and all government officials are only well versed in the intricate art of Ghana must go monetary transactions looting and plundering the resources of our country. What should we expect from the honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and his lackeys who are only there to further line their already bulging pockets. I doff my hat to President Yaradua for doing what seems to be right by virtue of the fact that he is "enlightened".

---

The conversation continues in our forum. Click here to read all comments

---