The second batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived in the country, with 66 returnees touching down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday night.
The evacuees arrived at about 8:50 p.m. aboard a ValueJet flight as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing repatriation programme for Nigerians stranded in South Africa.
The exercise follows the approval granted by President Bola Tinubu for the evacuation of affected citizens, a move authorities say reflects the government’s commitment to the welfare and safety of Nigerians living abroad.
Second Flight Arrives Two Weeks After First Evacuation
The latest group arrived two weeks after the first batch of 258 Nigerians was evacuated from South Africa and flown into Lagos on June 11 aboard a chartered Air Peace aircraft.
Officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa accompanied the returnees on the journey back home.
Upon arrival, many of the evacuees expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for approving the evacuation exercise.
They also appreciated the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ValueJet, Otunba Kunle Soname, for facilitating the flight that brought them back to Nigeria.
The returnees further acknowledged the efforts of Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Temitope (Alexander) Ajayi; Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and several government agencies involved in the operation.
Government Assures More Evacuations
Speaking on behalf of the NiDCOM Chairman, Dipo Onabowale commended the Federal Government for prioritising the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
He disclosed that challenges encountered after the first evacuation flight were being addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
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According to him, the minister has assured that every registered Nigerian willing to return home will be evacuated.
Returnees Receive Financial Support
As part of efforts to ease their reintegration, the returnees were also provided with various forms of support.
NiDCOM disclosed that returnees from Imo State received ₦1 million each from Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria distributed free SIM cards loaded with data worth ₦50,000 and also credited ₦100,000 into the bank account of each returnee.
In addition, Bolaji Idowu donated ₦100,000 to each of the evacuees.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies were present at the airport to receive, document and provide immediate assistance to the returnees.
The Federal Government has maintained that the evacuation exercise will continue until all registered Nigerians who wish to return from South Africa are safely brought home.