ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
INTERVIEW: Why I’m stuck with Atiku – Garba Shehu

Garba Shehu

Does Nigeria Have a Foreign Policy? By Garba Shehu

byGarba Shehu
February 19, 2014
3 min read

RelatedNews

VIDEO: What Bawa told Senate about himself

Nigeria needs urgent action on food as population surges — Osinbajo

Nigeria’s National HIV response – 14 years later

ARM-Harith MD appointed to UN advisory committee

ADVERTISEMENT

In making a distinction between a journalist and a diplomat, an author described the diplomat as an official sent abroad to lie on behalf of his/her nation.

This being the case, why would Nigeria diplomats try to cover up or lie outright to the home crowd?

As I write, I have it on concrete authority that Nigeria’s Consul General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Umar, is a bright and promising diplomat who has served his country at many sensitive locations across the world. When he spoke to Daily Trust on Friday on the issue of the alleged ill treatment of Nigerians in the recent Saudi crackdown on illegal migrants, he sounded more like a Saudi embassy official sent to mislead Nigerians.

This clampdown was itself ordered by the Kingdom following the expiry of a seven months amnesty aimed at allowing illegal migrant workers the chance to correct their visa status without a penalty or without being asked to leave the country. The real reason however is that, foreign workers make up about a-third of that country’s 27 million population.

What the clampdown aimed to achieve was to reduce the black market in cheap labour so as to create more jobs for the Saudis.

Nigerians, along with Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Egyptians and Ethiopians form the bulk of the targets of the policy. Many of the victimized Nigerians routinely interviewed by the BBC said those of them who presented themselves for visa renewal were seized and clamped into detention along with the illegals. Nearly all those given the chance to come before the microphone complained of one form of harsh treatment or the other by the Saudi officials. The detention centres, they told the BBC, were extremely cold without any warm coverings given and the food ration low for survival. The International Organization of Migrants gave the more than 120,000 Ethiopian citizens flown home by their country, after they were removed from the same centres, medical assistance. They got psychological first aid, meals, water and high energy biscuits upon arrival, underscoring the general abuse the migrants were subjected to.

Mr. Umar in his Trust interview impliedly that Nigerian victims of similar abuse lied as no Nigerians were maltreated in that country.

“Nigerians ether permanently residing in Saudi Arabia or on Hajj are not maltreated in Saudi Arabia… Nigerians are doing very well.” This must have clearly put many Nigerians and their government in a quandary. Are Nigerians lying against their hosts? Or is the diplomat living up to the norm in diplomatic service, the difference being this is against his country, not for it.

In countries all over the world, foreign relations are based on the policy of reprocity. “You do me, I do you”, as we say in the Nigerian parlance. That is why a country like India can overnight turn smiles into snarls against the world’s only super-power, the United States of America – a country with the reputation of a bully in the global scene – following the humiliating treatment meted out to a female diplomat who was stripped and searched.

When the Saudis introduced a discriminatory visa policy against a set of countries including Nigeria, Pakistan and Egypt, by which policy advance payment for local transport and accommodation are paid to a Saudi agent as a condition for the issuance of “free” visa, the other countries vehemently protested and in the case of Egypt, I know that this outrageous requirement has been dropped since. An Egyptian pilgrim on Umrah trip is required to provide evidence of no more than a return ticket and that he/she is going in a group.

The implication of the policy is that a Nigerian going on Umrah to the Kingdom must give money (about $1,000) to an agent for these services even as it mostly happens, they are not likely to use them. For instance, there are many of those Umrah pilgrims who charter their own vehicles to take them around because they can afford it. Similarly, evidence that one has hotel booking with Hilton, Intercontinental or Hyatt does not exempt the pilgrim from the payment to the Saudi agent, even if it is obvious that the crowded rooms on offer are not the type of accommodation he/she would use. Refunds are not allowed either, which is painful because such discriminatory fees are not required of South Africans, Europeans and Americans.

In his interview with the Trust, Mr. Umar emphatically said “Nigerians are given equal treatment in the best manner.” Really? I think the reason Nigerians ask whether their country has a foreign policy is when they see and experience these discriminatory practices and our diplomats and their foreign counterparts are slapping each other on their back, exchanging mutual congratulations on their blossoming romance.
As foreign minister under this same government, the political party technician called Ojo Maduekwe once proclaimed “citizen diplomacy” as the new thrust of Nigeria’s international relations. Explaining what this meant, the man masquerading as the “philosopher” of the PDP said it meant that the citizen was at the centre of the country’s international dealings. When are they going to start implementing that policy?

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

Those who know the Middle-Eastern countries and their policies say the nonchalance of our officials to Nigerian citizens receiving unfair treatment abroad should surprise no one. Those Middle-East countries, among others, are known for providing freebees to key government officials and their families. Their national carriers give free flight tickets and authorities over there give them free boarding and lodging. It is very difficult for officials to eat and talk at the same time.

Who then would speak up for the ordinary citizen when his rights are trampled upon in foreign territories?

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (1)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Governor Ahmed warns northern states against dependence on oil revenue

Next Post

The missing link in Jonathan’s church-to-royalty shuttle, By Zainab Suleiman Okino

Garba Shehu

Garba Shehu

Mallam Garba Shehu, veteran journalist and former newspaper editor, now practices as a political communicator and analyst in Abuja. He writes a syndicated column for Premium Times every Wednesday.

More News

Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai [PHOTO CREDIT: Nasir El-Rufai on Facebook]

How Kaduna Is Protecting the Poor and Vulnerable, By Nasir El-Rufai

February 24, 2021
Toyin Falola on Awolowo and leadership in Nigeria

Nigeria, Leadership and the Politics of “Self”, By Toyin Falola

February 24, 2021
Oluwadele Bolutife on insecurity in Nigeria

Nigeria: A Tale of the Madman and the Hoe, By Oluwadele Bolutife

February 24, 2021
Reuben Abati on Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's appointment to head WTO

Ngozi Goes To WTO, By Reuben Abati

February 23, 2021
Bamidele Ademola-Olateju on 15 questions for Nigeria

Nigeria: Fifteen Urgent Questions, By Bámidélé Adémólá-Olátéjú

February 23, 2021
Dr.-Mukaila-Kareem on the benefits of fasting

Fasting: A Free Alternative To Ketogenic Diets, By Mukaila Kareem

February 23, 2021
Next Post
The missing link in Jonathan’s church-to-royalty shuttle, By Zainab Suleiman Okino

The missing link in Jonathan’s church-to-royalty shuttle, By Zainab Suleiman Okino

Boko Haram razes Borno village, Konduga, kills 39; governor weeps

Several feared killed, injured as Boko Haram attacks Bama, Borno

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank


JAIZ Ad


NITDA Ad





Glo Ad

Subscribe to News via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of news by email.

Join 1,624,023 other subscribers.

Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert

Zenith Advert
ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.