No fewer than 66 stranded Nigerians have returned home from South Africa following a privately funded repatriation initiative supported by businessman and Chairman of ValueJet Nigeria, Kunle Soname.
The returnees, made up of 21 men and 45 women and children, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday aboard a South African Airways flight.
Officials disclosed that the entire cost of the air tickets was borne by Soname as part of efforts to support the Federal Government’s humanitarian and migration management programmes.
Speaking during the reception of the returnees, the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Alexander Oturu, said the intervention underscored the importance of collaboration between government agencies and private sector stakeholders in addressing migration-related challenges.
Oturu, who represented the Federal Commissioner of the commission, Tijani Ahmed, explained that the returnees were accompanied from South Africa by the Minister Consular at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to ensure a smooth and coordinated return process.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with relevant government agencies, development organisations, private sector operators and concerned citizens to enhance the reception and reintegration of returning Nigerians.
“The commission remains committed to working closely with stakeholders to improve coordinated return programmes and ensure effective reintegration support for Nigerians returning from abroad,” he said.
Also present at the airport reception were the Comptroller of Immigration, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Chris Uzoma, representing the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap; the Lagos Zonal Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, Tunde Mohammed; and the Lagos Coordinator of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Dipo Odebowale.
Upon arrival, the returnees underwent profiling and biometric documentation by relevant security and emergency agencies to facilitate follow-up support and future reintegration plans.
The returnees were also provided with humanitarian relief materials and SIM cards donated by MTN Nigeria to ease communication and resettlement.
Following the documentation exercise, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency assisted in transporting the returnees to their respective destinations.
The Federal Government further assured that the returnees would be enrolled in various social intervention and economic empowerment programmes aimed at helping them rebuild their lives and achieve sustainable livelihoods.
