3rd Nov. 2022
Your Excellency,
A Plea to Reconsider the African Travel Ban.
Excellent greetings to you, Your Excellency.
The world is beautiful because kindhearted people like you engage it with solution-driven, visionary institutions, infrastructure, and relatable policies for people of different races, creeds, and cultures, irrespective of gender or ethnicity.
Mr. President, I am reminded of the transformational vision of His Excellency, Late Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan that laid the blueprint of the UAE that the world enjoys today. In the same light, I am also reminded of the accomplishments of His Excellency, Late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, that has made the UAE the magnificent global attraction that it is today.
I was privileged to visit the ‘world trade center’ and beautiful Dubai a few months ago. The heart-warming hospitality to which members of my team and I were treated by the Royal Office of His Highness, Sheikh bin Faisal Al Qassimi through my dear good friend, the Chief Operating Officer, Amb. Dunston Pereira, is something for the history books. The people, the sights, the food, and awe-inspiring blend of human ingenuity all made for a mouth-watering gesture that makes the UAE a place to be.
Your Excellency, the recent travel ban imposed on some African countries comes at a time in human history when the world is still recovering from the dramatic global upturn humanity has endured, following the pandemic and subsequent debilitating impact.
Your Excellency, the human experience is often marred by the undesirable choices some elements in society make. But the glory of kings and leaders amongst humans is to lean on their better judgement and pull from the enduring principles of wisdom, truth, mercy, and justice–among others–ensuring the safety of all with good intent, while showing to be in the wrong those whose choices and actions are contrary to good judgement.
Your Excellency, I am quite sure you are aware of the great impact your nation and Administration hold for nations around the world, particularly those of the African continent. The bi-lateral trade relationships, friendships, families, businesses, investments, diplomatic assignments, and mutual private sector interactions at different levels have given entrepreneurs and investors hope of a better future.
Your Excellency, on behalf of millions of Africans who look up to the UAE and your Administration, I urge His Excellency to reconsider and ease the impact of the travel ban on the innocent who, inadvertently, have been adversely impacted, on both sides, by the misjudgments of a few. No doubt, miscreants of society must be brought to justice to create a healthy and thriving environment for growth and prosperity at all levels. Africa is the virgin, fertile land of promise for the future of humanity. We have a long way to go, but we have come a long way. Leaders such as yourself and nations such as your beautiful nation are examples and proofs and pointers of what is possible to emerging leaders of Africa.
Thank you, Your Excellency, for your time and due attention given to this matter. I trust your wisdom, judgement, visionary and gracious leadership.
Humbly submitted for the greater good of humanity.
H.E Dr. O. Favour AYODELE- theCarpenter
Founder/ Chairman African Intellectual Resources Organization- AIRO
Vice-President West Africa, World Economic Forum Asia Africa -WEFAA.
Vice Chairman International Business and Trade Committee- IBTC
