The sixth and final batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos, bringing the total number of returnees to 1,174.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) disclosed that the last group of 40 Nigerians arrived on Friday aboard a chartered flight, completing the evacuation exercise approved by the Federal Government.
According to the commission, the returnees were transported to Nigeria through six flights comprising four Air Peace flights carrying 258, 266, 262 and 282 passengers respectively, one ValueJet flight with 66 returnees, and the final chartered flight conveying 40 evacuees.
Speaking after their arrival, the returnees expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for approving their evacuation from South Africa.
They also appreciated the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Alexander-Ajayi; and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for facilitating their safe return.
NiDCOM said the returnees were received at the airport by officials of several government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and security agencies.
The commission also disclosed that several state governments, private organisations and individuals provided financial and humanitarian support to the returnees.
According to NiDCOM, the Imo State Government approved a grant of ₦1 million for each returnee from the state, while telecommunications giant MTN donated free SIM packs with data valued at ₦50,000 and pledged an additional ₦100,000 to each returnee.
Officials of the Edo and Delta State governments also announced support packages for their indigenes.
In addition, the JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment assistance for 50 female returnees, while the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide, Chibuzor Chinwe, was commended for providing free accommodation, skills acquisition opportunities and educational support for dozens of the returnees and their families.
The returnees equally acknowledged the support of Harvesters Church founder, Bolaji Idowu, who donated ₦100,000 each to 66 evacuees, as well as Cruxstone, a real estate firm, for providing financial assistance to the first batch of returnees.
