A group, President Tinubu’s Ambassadors (PTA), has attributed the recent bilateral agreement between Nigeria and the government of Ethiopia for the repatriation of about 100 Nigerian prisoners to the President’s commitment to the dignity, welfare, and humanity of Nigerian citizens.
The group in a statement in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Evangelist Nwa-Jesus Onuorah and made available to SINL NIgeria Online stated that the agreement reflects the administration’s dedication to protecting the rights and interests of Nigerians, regardless of tribe and religion, and further underscores the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure that Nigerians abroad are treated with fairness and compassion.
The statement says, “it is worth recalling that the last prisoner transfer agreement between Nigeria and another sovereign nation was signed in 2014 with the United Kingdom. That was twelve years ago! President Tinubu has therefore demonstrated a strong commitment to the dignity, welfare, and rights of Nigerians, regardless of their location.
“This latest agreement underscores the administration’s resolve to protect the interests of Nigerian citizens abroad and reflects a deep concern for humane treatment to them as part of their fundamental rights.
“This landmark agreement is yet another testament to the compassionate and people-centred leadership of the President. By facilitating the repatriation of Nigerian prisoners from Ethiopia, he has demonstrated that no Nigerian is forgotten, regardless of circumstance or location.
“This further reflects a profound commitment to human dignity, justice, and the welfare of citizens, while highlighting the administration’s determination to leverage diplomacy not only for economic and strategic interests but also for humanitarian purposes affecting the lives of Nigerians.”
The statement added that at a time many nations are increasingly focused on domestic priorities, President Tinubu showed exceptional statesmanship by extending the protection and concern of the Nigerian state to its citizens beyond the shores of the country.
“This action reinforces confidence in the government’s dedication to safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of Nigerians everywhere.
“We therefore once again commend the President for this historic achievement and urge the administration to continue pursuing policies and diplomatic engagements which uphold the dignity, rights, and welfare of all Nigerians, at home and abroad.”
Reconciling the fact that a significant number of the prisoners covered by the agreement are from the South-East geopolitical zone, the group said the development further underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and advancement of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
“He has once again demonstrated that he is the President of all Nigerians,” the group stated.
“We particularly highlight this gesture in view of the immense relief it will bring to numerous families across the South-East whose sons and loved ones mainly itinerant businessmen, have spent years in Ethiopian prisons. For many of these families, the agreement represents renewed hope, reunification, and a restoration of human dignity.
“It is especially significant given concerns that some of the affected individuals may have been subjected to prolonged incarceration under circumstances that did not avail adequate representation and relief, hence warranting further review.”
The group also commended the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, for her role in facilitating the prisoner transfer arrangement and advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement with Ethiopia.
“While we commend Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu for her efforts in midwifing this important agreement, we encourage her to further engage the relevant Ethiopian authorities on reports of the maltreatment of Nigerian travellers transiting through Addis Ababa to various international destinations via Ethiopian Airlines.”
According to the group, interactions with a broad cross-section of Nigerian travellers, particularly business people, have revealed recurring complaints ranging from harassment and intimidation to alleged extortion, unlawful detention, and other forms of mistreatment.
“We urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to thoroughly investigate these concerns and work with the appropriate authorities to ensure that Nigerian citizens are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect at all points of transit. Protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerians abroad must remain a central objective of the country’s diplomatic engagements.”
