The sixth batch of stranded Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in Lagos, with 40 more returnees bringing the total number of evacuees under the exercise to 1,174.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) disclosed on Saturday that the latest group arrived on Friday night aboard a chartered Air Peace flight. Previous returnees were transported through Air Peace and ValueJet flights carrying 258, 266, 262, 282 and 66 passengers respectively.
The returnees expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving their evacuation and thanked all those who facilitated their safe return to Nigeria.
They also commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Acting Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Temitope Alexander-Ajayi; and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose officials received them on arrival and announced financial support packages.
According to NiDCOM, returnees from Imo State received ₦1 million each through Governor Hope Uzodimma, while MTN provided free SIM packs with data valued at ₦50,000 and pledged an additional ₦100,000 to each returnee’s bank account.
The commission added that officials from Edo and Delta states also announced support packages for their returning residents.
It further disclosed that the JAAL Foundation promised empowerment assistance for 50 female returnees.
NiDCOM also acknowledged the contributions of Chibuzor Chinwe, General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide, for providing free accommodation for about 52 returnees, alongside skills acquisition programmes for their families and free education for their children up to university level.
The returnees equally appreciated Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church for donating ₦100,000 each to 66 returnees, as well as Cruxstone, a real estate company, for providing financial support to the first batch of evacuees.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and other security agencies were present to receive and document the returnees.