The Federal Government has intensified efforts to support Nigerians returning from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks, with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) outlining a series of financial, welfare and reintegration packages provided to the first batch of evacuees.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed on Thursday that the 262 Nigerians who recently arrived in Lagos under the government’s voluntary evacuation programme have received assistance from federal agencies, state governments and private sector organisations aimed at helping them rebuild their lives.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Dabiri-Erewa stressed that the returnees were victims of discrimination and violence rather than criminal activity.
“I’ll tell you something about those 250 that came in. None of them committed any crime. The only crime they committed is the colour of their skin. They are migrants in South Africa,” she said.
According to her, telecommunications company MTN provided each returnee with a cash grant of N100,000, in addition to N50,000 airtime and starter packs to enable them reconnect with family members and begin settling back into life in Nigeria.
She also commended Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for extending support to indigenes of the state among the returnees.
“The Governor of Imo State gave N1 million each to Imo indigenes who returned. That is the kind of intervention we encourage from state governments because these people need support to start afresh,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa explained that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provided transportation logistics for the returnees, while a private real estate company also contributed financial assistance as part of efforts to ease their reintegration.
She added that officials of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) were deployed to assist returnees who lacked valid identity documents, ensuring they could easily access government services and opportunities upon their return.
The NiDCOM boss appealed to other governors across the country to identify and support their citizens among the returnees, noting that reintegration would require collaborative efforts from all levels of government and the private sector.
“We want other governors to do what Governor Uzodimma has done. These are Nigerians coming back home and they need encouragement and support to reintegrate into society,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa further disclosed that federal authorities would continue engaging with the returnees to assess their professional backgrounds, vocational skills and business interests with a view to linking them with empowerment and employment opportunities.
The evacuation exercise follows a resurgence of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant sentiments in parts of South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have repeatedly faced harassment, intimidation and violence over the years.
She revealed that preparations were underway for the second batch of evacuees, expected to depart South Africa on June 15, adding that more than 1,000 Nigerians had already registered for voluntary return.
“We are expecting another batch on Monday. More than 1,000 Nigerians have indicated interest in returning, and arrangements are ongoing to ensure they come back safely and are properly received,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad, assuring that authorities would continue diplomatic engagement with South African officials while providing humanitarian support to affected citizens choosing to return home.
