40 Stranded Nigerians return from South Africa to cash gifts, fresh hope

Forty stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa have arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in the sixth phase of the Federal Government’s evacuation exercise aimed at assisting distressed citizens abroad.

The returnees, who landed on July 10, were received by officials of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), 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.

According to NiDCOM, the returnees expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving their evacuation, as well as to Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, for facilitating the process.

They also commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose officials received them on arrival and announced financial assistance to support their reintegration.

Several individuals, state governments and private organisations also pledged various forms of support to help the returnees rebuild their lives.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State announced a ₦1 million grant for each returnee from the state, while telecommunications giant MTN provided free SIM packs loaded with data valued at ₦50,000 and pledged an additional ₦100,000 cash support for every returnee.

Officials from Edo and Delta states also unveiled reintegration packages for returnees from their respective states, while the JAAL Foundation promised empowerment support for 50 female beneficiaries.

Founder of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, offered free accommodation to about 52 of the returnees and pledged to provide vocational training for affected families as well as free education for their children up to university level.

Similarly, the Senior Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Bolaji Idowu, donated ₦100,000 to each of 66 returnees, while real estate firm Cruxstone also provided financial assistance to an earlier batch of evacuees.

NiDCOM said the returning Nigerians expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the various donations and reintegration support packages announced by government agencies, faith-based organisations and private sector partners.

The latest evacuation forms part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to assist Nigerians stranded overseas and facilitate their safe return and reintegration into society.