By: Mercy Peter
The minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar has revealed how Nigeria help facilitate infants from Gaza to UAE, Jordan and Egypt.
Tuggar gave account of his stewardship in office on Thursday during the 5th Ministerial Press Briefing organised by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
He said, “The Red Cross reached out to us, asking if Nigeria would be willing to take in some of the infants from Gaza because they were looking for countries that had expressed concern over the dire humanitarian situation.
“Our response was that we cannot take the risk of flying such fragile infants, some born with heart conditions, all the way from the Middle East to Nigeria. If something happens, people will question why we took such a risk when we have our own healthcare challenges here.”
He also added that the government leveraged diplomatic channels to negotiate with the governments of Jordan, the UAE, and Egypt, urging them to take in the children.
“We used our good offices and diplomatic connections to reach out to the Foreign Ministers of these countries and impress upon them the need to accept and provide medical care for the infants. And alhamdulillah, it succeeded.”
He posited that “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has successfully advanced Nigeria’s national interests through
its multifaceted diplomatic, economic, and security initiatives. With key investments,
partnerships, and strategic alliances secured, Nigeria is well-positioned for long-term growth
and prosperity.”
He added, “Looking ahead, the Ministry will continue to prioritize economic growth,
national security, and global engagement, ensuring Nigeria remains a key player in shaping the
future of global governance and international relations.”
