By Stellamaries Amuwa
With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s immediate approval for stranded Nigerian returnees from South Africa to return, more support has come their way as another batch of 266 stranded Nigerian nationals arrived safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Friday.
With the latest returnees, Nigeria has transported a total number of 852 Nigerians in four operations from South Africa.
As part of the support packages for the returnees, NIDCOM officials on ground announced a grant of ₦1 million each to all returnees from Imo state on behalf of Governor Hope Uzodimma
NIDCOM also announced that MTN Nigeria donated free SIM packs with data valued at ₦50,000 for each returnee and pledged an additional ₦100,000 to be credited into the bank accounts of all the returnees.
Officials of the Edo and Delta State Governments also announced support packages for their respective indigenes, while the JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment support for 100 female returnees to aid their reintegration.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), speaking through the NIDCOM representative , Mr Dipo Odebowale , called on other states to emulate the gesture of Imo, Edo and Delta states as well as other corporate offices like Value jet Airline who brought in 66 Nigerians back from South Africa free of charge, Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Christ Church gave ₦100,000 each to the 66 returnees who arrived on June 22 and Cruxstone , a real estate firm had given cash support to the first set of returnees.
The fourth batch of 266 returnees aboard Air Peace Airline landed at 10:30 a.m in Lagos on Friday.
The returnees were accompanied by two officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa.
The evacuation exercise, funded by the Federal Government, is in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to ensure the safe and dignified return of willing Nigerians facing difficulties abroad.
On arrival, the returnees expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving their evacuation.
