A second group of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos as the Federal Government continues efforts to bring affected citizens back home.
According to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the 66 returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday night, arriving around 8:50 p.m.
NiDCOM stated that the evacuation operation, approved by President Bola Tinubu, reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Nigerians living abroad.
The latest group follows an earlier batch of 258 evacuees who returned to the country on June 11 aboard a chartered Air Peace flight.
The commission disclosed that the second evacuation flight was facilitated by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet, Otunba Kunle Soname, while officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanied the returnees on the journey.
On arrival, the evacuees expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for authorising the operation and commended Soname, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa Ambassador Temitope Ajayi, NiDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other government agencies involved in the exercise.
Representing the NiDCOM chairman, Dipo Onabowale praised the President’s intervention, describing it as a demonstration of people-focused leadership. He also noted that challenges encountered during the first phase of the evacuation were being addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who assured that all registered Nigerians would be evacuated.
As part of reintegration efforts, the returnees received various support packages. Nigerians from Imo State were given ₦1 million each through the support of Governor Hope Uzodinma. MTN Nigeria also provided free SIM cards with data valued at ₦50,000 and credited ₦100,000 into the bank accounts of each returnee.
In addition, Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian Centre donated ₦100,000 to every evacuee.
Officials from NEMA, the National Commission for Refugees, the Nigeria Immigration Service, FAAN, and security agencies were present at the airport to receive, document, and assist the returnees.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the assistance and warm reception, describing the support as evidence of the government’s concern for Nigerians regardless of their location.