The fifth batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday evening to a warm reception and a wave of financial assistance, grants and reintegration support from the Federal Government, state governments, corporate organisations and humanitarian groups.
The latest group of 282 returnees touched down aboard an Air Peace flight at about 7:35 p.m., bringing the total number of Nigerians successfully repatriated under the ongoing evacuation exercise to 1,134.
The evacuation, facilitated by the Federal Government, is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of Nigerians willing to come home from South Africa.
Since the commencement of the exercise, Air Peace has airlifted 1,068 Nigerians in four evacuation flights carrying 258, 266, 262 and 282 passengers respectively. In addition, ValueJet supported the humanitarian operation by transporting 66 Nigerians free of charge.
The latest batch was accompanied by two officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, who coordinated the return process.
On arrival, the returnees expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the evacuation, while also commending the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for facilitating their safe return.
The reception quickly turned into a major reintegration exercise as several organisations announced financial interventions and support packages aimed at helping the returnees rebuild their lives.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State approved a grant of N1 million each for all returnees from the state, while telecommunications giant MTN provided free SIM starter packs with data worth N50,000 for every evacuee and pledged to pay an additional N100,000 into each returnee’s bank account.
Officials from the Edo and Delta State governments also unveiled support initiatives for their respective indigenes, reaffirming their commitment to easing the resettlement process.
Faith-based and non-governmental organisations equally extended assistance. Founder of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, offered free accommodation in Port Harcourt to 52 of the returnees, alongside free education for their children up to university level and vocational skills acquisition opportunities for members of their families.
The JAAL Foundation announced empowerment support for 50 female returnees to help them achieve financial independence, while real estate company Cruxstone donated cash assistance to the first batch of evacuees. Similarly, Senior Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Bolaji Idowu, had earlier donated N100,000 each to the 66 Nigerians transported by ValueJet.
Officials from 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), and other security agencies were present at the airport to receive, document and profile the returnees as part of the government’s reintegration process.
