You must respect the dignity of our women FG warns Saudi Arabia

The Committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan to interface with the Saudi Arabian authorities over the detention and subsequent deportation of Nigerian female pilgrims to this year’s Hajj, met yesterday, Friday, September 28, 2012.

The committee stated that whatever further action the Saudi government wishes to take must respect the dignity of the female pilgrims as enshrined in international conventions which the two countries are signatories to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mallam Imam Imam said.

The meeting was chaired by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and attended by other members of the committee, which include the Emir of Zuru, HRH Alhaji Sani Sami, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi who represented the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Professor Shehu Galadanchi, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Muhammed Bello, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon Nnenna Ukeje and Hon Bashir Adamu Kazaure.

The Committee reviewed the correspondence, discussions and actions taken by the Nigerian government and the Saudi authorities in the last three days.

In furtherance of the discussions going on between the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian government, members of the committee will undertake a trip to Saudi Arabia as soon as they receive the go ahead from the Saudi authorities with a view to resolving the issue once and for all.

The committee wish to assure pilgrims and Nigerians that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is on top of the situation.