The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Thursday listed the support packages being extended to the first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following escalating xenophobic attacks in that country.
Dabiri-Erewa, who spoke on Channels Television, said the returnees — 262 in the first batch — had received support from both government agencies and the private sector upon arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
“I’ll tell you something about those 250 that came in. None of them committed any crime. The only crime they committed is the colour of their skin. They are migrants in South Africa,” she said.
According to her, telecoms giant MTN provided each returnee with N100,000, alongside N50,000 airtime and starter packs to help them reconnect and settle upon arrival.
She also revealed that the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, donated N1 million each to indigenes of the state among the returnees.
In addition, the National Emergency Management Agency provided transportation support, while a real estate firm also offered financial assistance to the returnees.
According to her, the National Identity Management Commission was also on hand to assist returnees with identity documentation.
Dabiri-Erewa called on other state governors to emulate Uzodimma by reaching out to their indigenes among the returnees, while noting that the federal government would continue engagement with returnees to identify their skills and determine how best to support them.
A second batch of Nigerians is expected to depart South Africa on Monday, June 15, with over 1,000 Nigerians having registered for voluntary return.