Former Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has achieved in 100 days what the Muhammadu Buhari administration could not attempt in many years.
It was under the administration of former President Buhari that the United Arab Emirates, UAE, had a diplomatic row with Nigeria which resulted in the imposition of visa ban on Nigerians and suspension of flights to the west African nation.
The situation has remained that way since October 2022.
However, the presidency announced on Monday that Tinubu and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi, finalized a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers.
And Fani-Kayode, a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, now a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, noted that the current administration has in just a few days done what the immediate past government could not do in many years.
“In the last few days our President has placed Nigeria back at the center-stage of international affairs where she rightly belongs.
“After a fantastic outing in India at the G20 summit which has attracted billions of dollars in investment to our country and where he rightly told world leaders that they cannot do without Nigeria, he went to the UAE and not only ensured that the visa ban on Nigerians was lifted but also ensured a resolution to the trapped Emirati funds at Central Bank and the issue of flight routes and air travel between our two countries. All these achievements in a matter of a few days.
“These are things that the previous administration could not achieve in years of protracted and oftentimes acrimonious negotiations.
“I am truly proud of our President and, under his watch, Nigeria is clearly on the rise again.
“Not only has he restored our confidence and hope but he has also proved to the world that Great Nigeria, the Giant of Africa, has come alive again. Glory be to God.”