Nigerian professionals and business owners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expressed great concern over the country’s negative perception by the Asian nation.
Africa Today News, New York gathered that with crime perpetrated by Nigerians massively surging, the UAE government has taken some drastic measures including suspension of the issuance of work permits to citizens from Africa’s most populous country.
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But the development has triggered concerns from Nigerians doing business and working in the UAE who say they are being labelled wrongly and punished for crimes committed by a few persons from their country.
‘Heartbroken,’ is how an educator and one of the many law-abiding residents affected by the suspension Olabisi Akinbinu feels about the issue.
According to her, the move which was taken as a precautionary measure against the increase in crimes linked to Nigerians, is pushing people like her to square one.
‘I’m incredibly confused. I feel heartbroken, I feel frustrated,” the teacher told Channels Television. “It’s an overwhelming feeling.’
The Abu Dhabi-based filmmaker admits she is distressed over the situation which she describes as tiring.
‘Living in a country like this and you’re continuing to thrive, you’re pushing forward, regardless of all the limitations of being Nigerian,’ she lamented.
‘You keep trying. You keep doing your best and then these things happen and it just takes you back to square one.’ she added.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK