A total of 1,327 Nigerians have voluntarily returned from South Africa under the Federal Government’s evacuation programme, following the completion of the fifth and final Air Peace evacuation flight to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The evacuation was organised to assist Nigerians who opted to return home in the wake of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
To support the returnees’ resettlement, the Edo and Imo State governments announced financial assistance of ₦1 million each for their indigenes. Similarly, the governments of Enugu and Abia states pledged cash support for residents from their states who returned through the programme.
In addition, the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation donated food packs to help meet the immediate needs of the returnees as they begin rebuilding their lives.
Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the successful reintegration of the returnees. She said relevant agencies are working together to provide the necessary mental, psychological, social, health and economic support to ensure a smooth transition back into life in Nigeria.
