We won’t compromise reputation of Nigeria
MINISTER of State for
Aviation, Mr. Felix Hassan Hyat has said even as the authorities
show restraint and maturity in handling the crisis over the
deboarding of Nigerian passengers by some foreign airlines, the fate
of citizens and reputation of Nigeria will not be compromised.
The minister who spoke at the New Nigerian Forum and explained that
there are so many things to be looked at before a decision is taken
as to the line of action against erring airlines, was however quick
in appealing to Nigerians to always exhibit a high sense of maturity
and patriotism especially outside our shores “because wherever you
are as a Nigerian, you are an automatic ambassador, so your conduct
mattes a lot.”
“There is nowhere in the world that you can dismiss Nigeria with a
wave of the hand. So, we have to show our maturity in handling
crisis of this nature. That is not to say that the fate and the
reputation of Nigerians should be compromised. Not at all,” he
added.
The minister further explained that in consideration of such
problem, there is the diplomatic angle that is always handled by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is usually handled by the Nigeria Civil
Aviation Authority (NCAA) as a parastatal of the aviation ministry.
“And even what happened some few days ago, the airline concerned has
been ordered to pay compensation to the victims failing which we
will now look at other means of punitive measures or retaliatory
measures that we can take in order to make them realize that they
cannot just do anything to Nigerians and go free,” he stated.
He said all these factors are being looked at with a view to taking
appropriate decision which will take into consideration the fate and
respect of Nigerians involved, while also not violating any
agreement or hampering Nigeria’s relationship with the other
parties.
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