Nigerian community in Kuwait lauded for excellent conduct

Nigeria’s Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo has commended the Nigerian community in Kuwait for their exceptional behaviour towards projecting the good image of Nigeria. He made the acclamation during his meeting with them as part of his engagements at the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit holding in that country.

Vice President Sambo expressed delight for the confidence which the Kuwaiti citizens have placed on Nigerian professionals, urging them to continue to project the positive image of the country in their character and conduct. “I want to thank you for the high level of professionalism you are displaying in your conduct which has made the communities to have confidence in you. This has created another avenue for rebranding Nigeria. We thank you very much for that,” he said.

He assured them that the Nigerian government is doing everything possible to ease and fast-track consular services, particularly regarding passport renewal. Adding, the issue of frequent requests for medical reports from Nigerians for renewal of residency permits will be tabled during discussions with Kuwaiti officials.

VP Sambo enjoined them to tap from the huge potentials of Nigeria’s Transformation Agenda which is revitalising the economy through provision of adequate power supply, healthcare services and access to financing; ease in land acquisition, education, transportation; good governance and adequate security to the citizenry, among others.

He also indicated that the ongoing biometric data capture of Nigerians conducted by the Nigeria Identity Management Commission would facilitate Diaspora voting and they should key into it.

Speaking on the Academic Staff Union of Universities strike action, Namadi Sambo after observing a minute silence for the repose of the soul of the late former President of ASUU, Festus Iyayi expressed sadness over the unfortunate labour action.

He explained to the Nigerian community, the shades of information surrounding the strike action and efforts as well as concessions which the Government has made to end it. He expressed optimism that with the determination of President Jonathan to permanently end strikes in the country and with the various meetings held with the ASUU leadership, the labour action would soon come to an end.

While responding to the issue of salaries for political office holders, the Vice President noted that with the efforts made to raise the living standards of all Nigerians irrespective of status, Nigerians would soon experience better living conditions. “The President Jonathan’s administration is arranging properly the resources that will push the country forward. The reason is that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is ensuring that we have good governance, transparency and the rule of law. Good governance is the key to push the country forward,” he said.

The Nigerian community represented by Joe Eneh requested the Federal Government to provide an e-passport machine to ease them of passport renewal problems. They also demanded for intervention into the issue of frequent request for medical test for residency renewals. The community implored the Federal Government and ASUU to urgently resolve their differences and bring the strike to an end as well as engage Nigerians living in Kuwait in governance activities.

They expressed high hopes that the visit of Nigeria’s Vice President would improve and impact positively on the relations between Nigeria and Kuwait. Adding, the community whose membership rates to about five hundred are mostly fully employed and highly qualified professionals who are enjoying high reputation. According to them, many Kuwaitis prefer to wait and be attended to by Nigerian doctors than other nationals. They pledged to always keep the Nigerian flag flying high.

Present at the event were the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence – Mohammed Magoro; the Minister of Foreign Affairs – Viola Onwuliri; Special Adviser to the Vice President on Special Duties – Isaiah Balat; Nigerian government functionaries as well as Nigerians living in Kuwait.