The sixth and final batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in the country, with 40 returnees landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday night, bringing the total number of evacuees under the exercise to 1,174.
According to an official signed statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the evacuation was carried out in six flights comprising four Air Peace flights conveying 258, 266, 262 and 282 passengers respectively, a ValueJet flight with 66 returnees, and a chartered flight that brought home the final 40 Nigerians.
The returnees expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, for approving their evacuation from South Africa.
They also thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Acting Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi; and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose officials received them on arrival and announced financial support for the returnees.
As part of the reintegration support, returnees from Imo State received ₦1 million each through the intervention of Governor Hope Uzodimma. Telecommunications company MTN also donated free SIM packs with data and pledged ₦100,000 to each returnee through their respective bank accounts.
Officials of the Edo and Delta State Governments also announced support packages for returnees from their states, while the JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment assistance for 50 female returnees.
The returnees equally commended the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinwe, for providing free accommodation for about 52 returnees, as well as skills acquisition opportunities for families and free education for their children up to university level.
They also appreciated the Founder of Harvesters Church, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, for donating ₦100,000 each to 66 returnees, and acknowledged the financial support earlier provided by real estate firm Cruxstone to the first batch of evacuees.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and other security agencies were on hand to receive and document the returnees.
The evacuees expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the various financial and welfare support provided to assist their reintegration into society.
