The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has disclosed various support packages extended to the first batch of 262 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa amid rising xenophobic attacks.
NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who made the disclosure on Thursday during a Channels Television appearance, said the returnees received assistance from both government and private sector organisations upon their arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasised that the evacuees had committed no crime other than being Nigerian, stating, “None of them committed any crime. The only crime they committed is the colour of their skin. They are migrants in South Africa.”
According to her, telecom giant MTN gave each returnee ₦100,000 in cash, along with ₦50,000 worth of airtime and starter packs to aid their reconnection and settlement.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma also donated ₦1 million to each indigene of the state among the returnees.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provided transportation support, while a real estate firm offered additional financial assistance.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was also present to assist with identity documentation needs.
Dabiri-Erewa urged other state governors to emulate Uzodimma by supporting their indigenes among the returnees.
She added that the federal government would continue to engage with the evacuees to identify their skills and explore sustainable reintegration programmes.
A second batch of Nigerians is expected to leave South Africa on Monday, June 15. Over 1,000 Nigerians have so far registered for voluntary evacuation.
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