The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has disclosed that Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks have begun receiving support from government agencies and private organisations.
Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, Dabiri-Erewa said the first batch of 262 returnees received various forms of assistance upon arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
She explained that telecommunications company, MTN, provided each returnee with N100,000 cash support, N50,000 airtime and starter packs to facilitate communication and reintegration.
According to her, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State also donated N1 million each to Imo indigenes among the returnees.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) offered transportation support, while a real estate firm provided additional financial assistance.
She added that officials of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) were on ground to assist the returnees with identity documentation.
The NiDCOM boss urged other state governors to emulate Uzodimma by extending support to their citizens affected by the attacks.
She said the Federal Government would continue to engage the returnees to identify their skills and determine the best ways to support their reintegration into society.
Dabiri-Erewa condemned the xenophobic attacks, stressing that the affected Nigerians had committed no offence other than being foreigners in South Africa.
“They committed no crime. The only crime they committed is the colour of their skin. They are migrants in South Africa,” she said.
She further disclosed that a second batch of Nigerians is expected to depart South Africa on Monday, June 15, adding that more than 1,000 Nigerians have so far registered for voluntary return.
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