Expo 2020 Volunteers embody UAE values and are ready to welcome the world: Nahayan bin Mabarak

DUBAI, 20th September, 2021 Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissionergeneral of Expo 2020 Dubai, has praised the 30,000 volunteers who will help deliver an exceptional World Expo as Dubai welcomes the world from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022. Expo 2020 Volunteers have completed more than 40,000 hours of training to date, demonstrating their preparedness for the first event of its kind in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. Training will continue through the coming months to prepare future volunteers

for their roles. Thousands of volunteers also attended the highenergy Expo 2020 Orientation Experience at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020 Dubai, one of 13 identical sessions designed to inform and inspire, while adhering to strict COVID-19 safety measures. Sheikh Nahayan said, "Expo 2020 Dubai coincides with the UAE’S Golden Jubilee celebrations, and I am humbled to recognise that the Expo 2020 Volunteers share a common set of values that mirror the principles on which our nation has thrived. They are from diverse nationalities, backgrounds and age groups, and will travel from all seven emirates to join us as we welcome the world in a spirit of compassion, collaboration and optimism for the future. "We are now less than one month away, and the commitment of the Expo 2020 Volunteers has never wavered, even when faced the challenge of a pandemic. We are grateful for their passion and dedication, rooted in an understanding of what Expo 2020 is capable of achieving. With their support, Expo 2020 is ready to fulfil its mission of creating a better future for people and planet, in the UAE and across the globe." Expo 2020 Volunteers range from university students and employees to National Service cadets, homemakers and retirees, as well as people of determination. UAE Nationals form 45 percent of the volunteers, which together represent 135-plus nationalities and range from 18 to 79 years of age. They will all play a crucial role in managing the vast number of diverse experiences, events and global discussions taking place daily at Expo 2020. Emirati volunteer Kenan Abdul Ghani, 28, explained that he joined the Expo Volunteers with a desire to give back to the country that has given so much to him, "As soon as I had the opportunity, I did not hesitate and joined the Expo Volunteers. It is a great honour for me to represent the UAE in this global platform. I am very much looking forward to the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai and to working with my team at the Country

Pavilions to learn about the cultures of more than 190 countries, as well as their customs and traditions." Sameer Mazumdar, 21, from India said, "I get to be part of this great event which is one of the biggest events in the UAE and the UAE been coming along way since the past 10 years or so I want to witness as many things as I can and I want to experience all the events backstage not just as a visitor contributing to it as well." Cardela Coulson, 57, a volunteer who is an Australian national, said, "I feel great because it’s going to be a part of the history so I felt like my grandchildren will be able to see that later on. It’s Expo 2020 it’s an experience that you won’t be able to get in your lifetime in some way, because I’m now 57 I’m excited and I’m also excited to meet and see different people from other parts of the world." Roopa Udeshi, 31, from India said, "I always wanted to live in Dubai because it had a different feel to it and it always looked at the future, and I always wanted to be a part of the future and today I’m standing here, standing right in front of you being a volunteer because this is what Expo 2020 is: the future." Jogi Gratil, 38, a volunteer from the Philippines, said, "I felt like it’s a privilege to be part of this historical moment. It’s a once in a lifetime experience for me . I believe that the UAE has given me a lot of opportunities in my life, so I think it’s about time to give back and be part of this Volunteer Programme." Suaad Al Marzooqi, a 19 year-old UAE National volunteer, said, "I am proud of my work as a volunteer at Expo 2020 Dubai, particularly since it is my first experience working in a global professional environment. I am confident that I will learn a lot here – more than I would have learned anywhere else – especially engaging with visitors from different cultural backgrounds." Joe Moscaritolo, a volunteer from the United States, said, "I went to a World Expo when I was a teenager, my grandmother brought me and my brothers to the New York Expo – actually in Flushing, New York – that’s the only one I’ve ever been to. And now I’m at this one. As both a volunteer and a visitor, we plan on coming the technology, the amazing buildings There are over 190 countries and I can’t wait to see the various pavilions." With the support of Etisalat, the Official Premier Partner of Expo 2020 Volunteers, Expo 2020 Dubai received more than 180,000 expressions of interest in volunteering – far exceeding the initial target of 100,000 applications.

circumstances of his death, the Forum wishes to state as follows: That Dr Mailafia arrived Abuja last Sunday September 12, 2021 from Akure and was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by his wife. “On arrival at home, the wife noticed he was not in the best of health conditions and seemed to be suffering from malaria. After three days of treatment without signs of improvement, he went to the CBN Hospital on Friday September 17, 2021 where he was shabbily treated. It took the intervention of a senior medic who immediately placed him on oxygen and admitted him. “Dr Mailafia’s was later given the option of choosing three hospitals: Gwagwalada Hospital, National Hospital and EHA Clinics. The wife opted for the third choice. On arrival at the EHA Clinics, the wife was subjected to yet another moment of anxiety as it took a direct order from the top management of the hospital to accept him. “After few hours of treatment, the EHA Clinics told the wife that it was expedient to transfer the former CBN Deputy Governor to Gwagwalada as the clinic was not fully equipped to handle the case. “The wife opposed the decision and insisted that she was opposed to the idea of taking her husband to Gwagwalada. Mailafia’s wife only succumbed when the consultant assured her that nothing bad will happen to her husband. “Yesterday, Saturday September 18, 2021, Dr Obadiah was transferred to Gwagwalada. On arrival, the name of the doctor that was billed to attend to Dr Mailafia was not on duty. Even when an attempt was made by foreign health consultants to save the situation, the doctor on duty got angry and said he was not obligated to listen to any foreign consultants that had been brought into the matter with the sole purpose of ensuring nothing goes wrong. “Wife of the former CBN Deputy Governor was asked to pay the sum of N600’000 as deposit even when it was a referral case, with accruing medical bill to be settled by the CBN. At a point, Dr Mailafia complained over his breathing problems and pleaded with the doctors to place him in a ventilator. The doctors flatly refused. “Even after the doctors declared Dr. Mailafia dead, foreign consultants who were brought into the matter through Dr Mailafia’s son that is living abroad, had directed a family member who is a medical professional, with the wife of the CBN Deputy Governor, to mount pressure on the chest of Dr. Mailafia for resuscitation and thereafter place him on a life support. “The doctors in Gwagwalada refused all entreaties by the family members of Dr Mailafia to follow the advice of the foreign consultants, insisting that they have already pronounced him dead. “Even when the wife could feel the pulse of her husband, the doctor flatly declared there was nothing they could do since they had already pronounced him dead. “While the above narration sums up the circumstances under which Dr Mailafia died, we still await the result of the actual cause of his death. As a nationalist and patriot that he was, Dr. Mailafia was completely dedicated to the emancipation of ethnic nationalities from the clutches of oppression. “The economist was never afraid to speak truth to power just as he remained committed to the enthronement of justice and equity to all citizens across ethnic and religious divides. “In the twilight of his life, this consummate technocrat and global scholar of repute beamed his searchlight on the raging insecurity ravaging our country. He expressed regrets over government’s incapacity to rein in the activities of insurgents and criminal groups terrorising the nation. “As a former presidential candidate in the 2019 poll, Dr Mailafia sought to deploy politics to bring about the dream he had for his country. Even after he lost the election, he never let down the bar in demanding for a fair treatment for all Nigerians. “The Forum recalls his patriotic zeal in standing up for truth and justice. He was never a letdown in being at the forefront of showing the way for national greatness as he was willing to lay down his life for Nigeria. “The Forum is inspired by his altruistic disposition and contributions to national development. We remain proud of his footprints on the political, economic and social sands of our nation. “In this period of grief, we extend our sympathy to his immediate family members and pray to the Almighty God to grant each and everyone of them the fortitude to bear the pain of this irreparable loss. “The death of Dr Mailafia today represents a dark day for not only the Middle Belt but also for all citizens who yearn for a new dawn for justice in Nigeria.”.a new dawn for justice in Nigeria.”.