Fifth Batch of Stranded Nigerians Returns from South Africa, Total Evacuees Hits 1,134
Oru Leonard
The fifth batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos, bringing the total number of returnees under the ongoing evacuation exercise to 1,134.
The 282 returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 7:35 p.m. on Thursday aboard an Air Peace flight and were received by officials of relevant government agencies.
According to the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the latest arrival is part of the Federal Government’s continued efforts to ensure the safe return of willing Nigerians from South Africa.
Balogun said Air Peace has so far operated four humanitarian flights, evacuating 258, 266, 262 and 282 Nigerians respectively, while ValueJet also transported 66 Nigerians free of charge in support of the exercise.
He added that the returnees were accompanied by two officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa.
Balogun noted that the evacuation followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to facilitate the safe return of Nigerians willing to come home.
The returnees expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the evacuation, the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa,
Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose team received them at the airport and announced financial support for the returnees.
According to Balogun, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma approved a grant of N1 million for each returnee from the state, while MTN Nigeria distributed free SIM packs with data worth N50,000 and pledged N100,000 to be paid into the bank account of each returnee.
He further disclosed that officials of Edo and Delta states also announced support packages for their returning indigenes.
In addition, the Founder of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, offered free accommodation in Port Harcourt for 52 returnees, free education for their children up to university level, and skills acquisition opportunities for affected families.
Balogun also said the JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment support for 50 female returnees, while Cruxstone, a real estate company, provided cash assistance to the first batch of evacuees. Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church also donated N100,000 each to the 66 Nigerians flown home by ValueJet.
Government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and security agencies, were on ground to receive and document the returnees.
Balogun said the returnees expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the various support packages provided by government, corporate organisations, faith-based groups and other stakeholders.
