Democracy Day: Humannitarian Minister Seeks National Support for 258 Nigerians Repatriated from South Africa
Oru Leonard
As Nigeria marked Democracy day, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has called on citizens, corporate organisations, state governments, faith-based institutions, community leaders and development partners to support the reintegration of 258 Nigerians recently repatriated from South Africa.
The minister said Democracy Day should serve not only as a celebration of democratic governance and constitutional freedoms but also as a reminder of the values of compassion, unity, inclusion and collective responsibility toward vulnerable citizens.
Speaking following the arrival of the returnees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a chartered Air Peace flight facilitated by the Federal Government, Doro stressed that rebuilding lives requires a collective national effort.
According to him, one of the strongest expressions of democracy is the willingness of citizens to care for one another, noting that societies are judged not only by the strength of their institutions but also by how they treat their most vulnerable members.
The minister, who led government officials in receiving the returnees, said while the Federal Government has taken significant steps to ensure their safe return and reintegration, broader support from the private sector, development organisations, philanthropic bodies and well-meaning Nigerians is essential to restoring dignity and creating new opportunities for those affected.
Doro expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising the welfare, dignity and protection of Nigerians both at home and abroad. He said the successful repatriation reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian is abandoned regardless of location or circumstance.
He described the return of the 258 citizens as the beginning of a new chapter focused on recovery, reintegration and renewed opportunities. He urged families, employers, faith-based organisations, civil society groups and local communities to actively assist the returnees in rebuilding their lives.
The minister noted that many of the returnees had experienced disruptions to their livelihoods, family relationships and future plans, making community-based support crucial to their successful reintegration.
He disclosed that beyond the reception exercise, profiling, documentation and health screening conducted for the returnees, the ministry is already working to provide humanitarian assistance and strengthen partnerships aimed at supporting their social and economic recovery.
Doro also commended the contributions of government ministries, agencies and private sector stakeholders whose collaborative efforts ensured a safe and dignified return process.
Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to strengthening reintegration systems, expanding partnerships and promoting sustainable pathways from vulnerability to resilience, the minister said the efforts align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to embrace the spirit of national solidarity, stressing that democracy thrives when citizens support one another and recognise that nation-building is a shared responsibility beyond government alone.
