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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Federal Government, has announced that a new batch of Nigerian evacuees sponsored by public-spirited private individuals will arrive Lagos on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued in Abuja by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the batch consisting of 83 Nigerian nationals, will arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, via South African Airways.
The evacuees, Ebienfa also said, are expected to depart the Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg at 3.35pm local time to arrive Lagos at approximately 08.45pm the same day.
“The Ministry wishes to note that this latest cohort of returnees is facilitated through the kind intervention and sponsorship of tickets by public-spirited private individuals, whose generosity the Federal Government acknowledges with profound gratitude.
“This development follows the earlier conclusion of the government’s voluntary repatriation programme, which saw nearly 1,490 Nigerian citizens repatriated from South Africa amidst rising Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments in the host country.
“The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguard the welfare and dignity of all Nigerians at home and abroad. In line with its Citizen Diplomacy agenda, the government views Nigerians in the diaspora not as a burden, but as critical assets for national development, and is dedicated to ensuring their protection and well-being.
“The Ministry extends special appreciation to the private individuals and philanthropists who have stepped forward to assist in this humanitarian effort. Their action is a sterling example of the “whole of society approach”, public-private collaboration championed by the government in addressing challenges facing our citizens abroad.
“The Ministry commends their patriotism and selflessness, which have significantly alleviated the plight of our compatriots in South Africa. In light of this, the Ministry calls upon the organized private sector, corporate organizations, State Governments, and other well-meaning Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to emulate these worthy examples. Our collective efforts will bolster our national capacity to respond to consular emergencies effectively.
“The government remains committed to deepening strategic partnerships with host nations, including South Africa, to address the root causes of Afrophobia and ensure that such acts of violence and discrimination against Nigerians are prevented and are strongly condemned when they occur, including holding perpetrators of such violence to account,” Ebienfa stated.
