Another batch of 40 returnees landed at the Lagos Airport from South Africa, raising the total number of returnees in the sixth batch to 1,174.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission said the returnees came in through Air Peace in four different flights of 258, 266, 262 and 282, Value Jet 66, while the sixth batch came in a chartered jet with 40 Nigerians.
According to Channels TV, they arrived on Friday night and thanked President Bola Tinubu for sanctioning their speedy evacuation and all the facilitators. Executive Branch
They also expressed their appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Nigerian Acting Ambassador to South Africa, Temitope Alexander-Ajayi and the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, whose staff were on ground to meet them and also announced some financial support for them.
The Imo State returnees, courtesy of Governor Hope Uzodimma, got ₦1 million each while MTN gave a free SIM pack (with data) worth ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 to be transferred into the bank account of all the returnees.
“Edo, Delta state officials also announced incentives from their respective state governments for the returnees.
Moreover, JAAL Foundation pledged to provide empowerment support for 50 female returnees.
Similarly, Chibuzor Chinwe, General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide was appreciated for his selfless gesture of providing free accommodation for about 52 Nigerian returnees as well as skills acquisition for families and free education for their children up to university level. Africans & Diaspora
“The returnees also appreciated Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church, who donated ₦100,000 each to 66 returnees. “They also thanked Cruxstone, a real estate firm that assisted with cash support for the first batch of returnees,” the statement said.
Government agencies such as NEMA, Refugees Commission, Nigerian Immigration Service, FAAN, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and security agencies were on the ground to document and accept the returns.
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