Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Fee (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has reiterated on the necessity for Nigerians travelling outdoors the shores of their sovereign boundaries to be extra circumspect to keep away from any untoward circumstances.
The media, public relations and protocols unit, NIDCOM Gabriel Odu, disclosed this in an announcement issued on Thursday.
The assertion famous that Dabiri-Erewa gave this advisory throughout a go to by Rev. Dr. Israel Kristilere, CEO of Oasis of Religion Intercontinental Restricted and President of the Christian Tourism Practitioners Affiliation of Nigeria (CTPAN), who lamented the maltreatment he suffered at Cairo Tarmac in Egypt throughout a stopover on his pilgrimage to Israel.
Rev. Kristilere recounted the occasions of April thirtieth, 2024, when he and 27 pilgrims, had been en path to Israel throughout a four-hour layover in Cairo.
“One other first-class passenger and I had been resting within the lounge. Round midnight, after I noticed that boarding had commenced, and my group remained seated. Upon inquiry, I learnt that they had instructed us to attend”, he narrated.
Rev. Kristilere added that when he tried to board, he was detained by airport safety personnel on accusations of sexual abuse based mostly on a trump-up criticism and a supposed video recording he was not allowed to view.
Pressured to apologise to the alleged sufferer to keep away from court docket proceedings, he expressed his sympathy for the girl in case another person had abused her, and she or he mistook him for the individual.
He additionally documented his refusal to signal an Arabic doc by writing “I DO NOT KNOW” above his surname whereas recording the audio of the encounter by way of his cellphone.
Amidst this ordeal, the desk supervisor’s intervention resulted within the return of Rev. Kristilere’s passport and his launch. On Might 1st, at round 1 a.m., the 27 pilgrims, who had refused to board with out him, lastly departed Cairo collectively.
Reacting to the sordid narrative, the Chairman/CEO NiDCOM who was represented by the Secretary to the Fee, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi clarified that NIDCOM would convey his petition to the eye of the Ministry of International Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Egypt , including that they’ve the powers and jurisdiction to intervene and examine.
She apologised for the maltreatment Rev. Kristilere endured, emphasising that no Nigerian ought to face inhumane remedy overseas.
Dabiri-Erewa counseled Rev. Kristilere for securing assist from the Christian Pilgrims Fee and inspired him to ahead related paperwork to the Ministry of International Affairs and the Egyptian Embassy.
The NiDCOM Boss additional assured that the fee will proceed to advocate for the dignified and humane remedy and privileges of Nigerians worldwide, the assertion added.