Another batch of 266 stranded Nigerians has returned safely from South Africa, bringing the total number of citizens evacuated under the Federal Government’s intervention to 852 in four separate operations.
According to an official statement signed by the Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the latest group of returnees arrived aboard an Air Peace flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, at about 10:30 a.m. on Friday. The evacuation followed the immediate approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the voluntary return of stranded Nigerians from South Africa.
The statement noted that the returnees received several support packages aimed at easing their reintegration into society. NiDCOM officials announced a grant of ₦1 million each for all returnees from Imo State on behalf of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
In addition, MTN Nigeria donated free SIM packs with data valued at ₦50,000 for each returnee and pledged an additional ₦100,000 to be credited into the bank accounts of all the evacuees.
The Edo and Delta State Governments also announced support packages for their respective indigenes, while the JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment support for 100 female returnees to facilitate their reintegration.
Speaking through the Commission’s representative, Mr. Dipo Odebowale, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the governments of Imo, Edo and Delta states for their interventions and urged other state governments to emulate the gesture. She also acknowledged the contributions of corporate organisations and individuals, including ValueJet Airline, which previously airlifted 66 stranded Nigerians from South Africa free of charge, Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Christ Church, who donated ₦100,000 to each of the 66 returnees who arrived on June 22, and Cruxstone, a real estate firm that provided financial support to the first batch of evacuees.
The statement added that the latest returnees were accompanied by two officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa.
The evacuation exercise, funded by the Federal Government, was carried out in line with President Tinubu’s directive to ensure the safe, orderly and dignified return of willing Nigerians facing difficulties abroad.
On arrival, the returnees expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the evacuation. They also thanked the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose team coordinated their reception and reintegration.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other security agencies were on hand to receive, profile, document and provide necessary assistance to the returnees.
The evacuees also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, state governments, corporate organisations, partner agencies and other stakeholders for the warm reception and generous support extended to them.
NiDCOM commended all partners involved in the evacuation exercise, describing their collective efforts as critical to ensuring the safe return and successful reintegration of Nigerians in distress abroad.
