Nearly 1,500 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks have praised President Bola Tinubu for funding their return and rehabilitation.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has also called on more state governments, private organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the returnees as they rebuild their lives.
In a statement issued by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, thanked President Tinubu for fully funding the evacuation exercise.
“We are deeply grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fully funding the evacuation and rehabilitation of our compatriots. This gesture reflects the administration’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians wherever they may be,” she said.
States, Organisations Intervention
Dabiri-Erewa commended state governments, corporate bodies, religious organisations and philanthropists that have provided financial assistance, accommodation, empowerment programmes and other forms of support.
She highlighted donations by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who each pledged ₦1 million to affected returnees from their states.
According to her, Delta, Anambra, Abia, Enugu and Lagos states have also reached out to their returning citizens, while she appealed to other states to provide similar assistance.
Support Groups Praised
The NiDCOM boss acknowledged the support of Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), who provided accommodation for 57 returnee families, skills acquisition opportunities and free education for their children.
She also praised MTN Nigeria for providing each returnee with a SIM pack containing ₦50,000 worth of data and ₦100,000 cash support.
Other contributors included the JAAL Foundation, which empowered 50 female returnees; Harvesters Church, which donated ₦100,000 each to 66 returnees; Cruxstone Real Estate; and the Oyakhilome Foundation, which distributed food baskets to returnees.
“We sincerely appreciate the generosity of our state governments, corporate organisations, faith-based institutions and individuals who have demonstrated compassion by supporting the returnees,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
Call for More Assistance
While commending agencies such as NEMA, FAAN, NIMC, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons for facilitating a smooth return process, Dabiri-Erewa urged more governors, businesses and well-meaning Nigerians to support the returnees.
“This is a collective national responsibility, and together we can help them reintegrate successfully,” she added.
The voluntary evacuation programme, which ran from June 11 to July 15, brought home 1,490 stranded Nigerians from South Africa aboard five Air Peace flights funded by the Federal Government under President Tinubu’s directive.
