The Federal Government has urged state governments to support efforts to evacuate and resettle Nigerians facing danger abroad, stressing that no Nigerian citizen should be abandoned in an uncertain situation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal in an update on her X handle as the government evacuated another 83 Nigerians from South Africa amid continued xenophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments.
She called on states to help cushion the difficulties involved in relocating and resettling returning indigenes under President Bola Tinubu’s Citizen Diplomacy agenda.
“We, therefore, call on State Governments to complement the federal government’s efforts towards ensuring that no citizen at risk abroad is abandoned to an uncertain fate,” she said.
The latest evacuation was made possible through the support of public-spirited individuals and a group of business associates who jointly sponsored the returnees’ air tickets.
The 83 Nigerians departed Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, at 3:35 p.m. local time and arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 8:45 p.m.
The minister disclosed that the same group had also committed to sponsoring the evacuation of a second batch of Nigerians who no longer feel safe in South Africa and have indicated their desire to return home.
The latest returnees came from Anambra, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Enugu, Ogun, Abia, Osun, Delta, Kwara and Ekiti states.
FG Commends Imo, Abia, Enugu
Odumegwu-Ojukwu specifically commended Imo, Abia and Enugu State governments for their intervention in assisting returning Nigerians.
She said the Imo State Government had commenced the payment of ₦1 million each to returning indigenes.
Abia State, she added, had approved the immediate payment of ₦1 million each to 31 verified returnees of Abia State origin.
The minister also commended the Enugu State Government for its commitment to supporting the evacuation of stranded indigenes.
“We urge other state governments to follow suit and complement the federal government’s emergency efforts by coming to the aid of their stranded indigenes and returnees in this time of need,” she said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also appreciated Nigerian individuals and groups, both within the country and abroad, for supporting citizens facing consular challenges and emergencies overseas.
1,573 Nigerians Repatriated
The latest evacuation brings the total number of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa under the government’s voluntary repatriation programme to 1,573.
The previous 1,490 Nigerians were evacuated amid xenophobic protests in South Africa, during which some Nigerians lost their lives while others lost property.
Source: Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
