Another batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, as the Federal Government continues efforts to bring affected citizens back home. In a statement, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said the second batch of 66 returnees landed in Lagos……
Another batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, as the Federal Government continues efforts to bring affected citizens back home.
In a statement, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said the second batch of 66 returnees landed in Lagos at about 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday. The evacuation followed the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.
The returnees were transported with the support of ValueJet Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Otunba Kunle Soname, and were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa.
The latest evacuation comes weeks after the first batch of 258 Nigerians arrived in the country on June 11 aboard a chartered Air Peace flight.
Speaking on behalf of NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Mr. Dipo Onabowale commended President Tinubu for facilitating the safe return of the evacuees. He added that challenges encountered during the first phase of the exercise were being addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who has assured that all registered Nigerians in need of evacuation would be returned home.
The returnees expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Otunba Soname, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa Ambassador Temitope Ajayi, NiDCOM, and other government agencies involved in the exercise for their support and intervention.
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As part of reintegration efforts, MTN Nigeria provided free SIM packs loaded with data and financial support for the returnees, while Senior Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Bolaji Idowu, donated ₦100,000 to each evacuee. Imo State indigenes among the group also received ₦1 million each through the support of Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migration and Internally Displaced Persons, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other security agencies were present at the airport to receive and assist the returnees.
