The third batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos, with 270 returnees landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) aboard an Air Peace flight on Tuesday.
The latest evacuation brings the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa to 594, following the return of 258 evacuees on June 11 and another 66 on June 25.
The evacuation was approved and funded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
The returnees, who were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the evacuation.
“We sincerely thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt approval and decisive intervention that made our safe return possible,” some of the returnees said.
They also commended Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the government agencies that coordinated the evacuation.
Speaking on behalf of Dabiri-Erewa, Mr. Dipo Onabowale praised the President’s commitment to Nigerians in the diaspora.
“President Tinubu has demonstrated citizen-centred leadership and a steadfast commitment to the welfare of Nigerians wherever they may be,” Onabowale said.
He added that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had assured that every Nigerian registered for evacuation would be brought home.
“The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured that all registered Nigerians seeking evacuation will be brought home safely,” he said.
To support their reintegration, NiDCOM announced several assistance packages. Indigenes of Imo State received ₦1 million each, courtesy of Governor Hope Uzodinma, while MTN Nigeria provided every returnee with a free SIM pack loaded with data worth ₦50,000 and credited an additional ₦100,000 to their bank accounts.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies received and processed the returnees on arrival.
Expressing gratitude for the support received, the returnees described the evacuation as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s concern for Nigerians abroad.
“The warm reception and support we received on arrival show that the government has not forgotten us. We are grateful for the opportunity to return home and start afresh,” one of the returnees said.