Another 67 Nigerians have returned to the country from South Africa following reported xenophobic attacks targeting foreigners in the country.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday night aboard a South African Airways flight.
Their repatriation brings to 150 the number of Nigerians returned to the country, following an earlier intervention by a philanthropic group that facilitated the return of 83 Nigerians.
Addressing the returnees, representatives of the group, Ikem Ume-Ezeoke and Charles Mba, presented each of them with N50,000 and urged them to remain patriotic and comply with relevant regulations and requirements of government agencies.
Mba, a businessman and philanthropist, encouraged the returnees not to lose hope despite their experiences in South Africa.
“No hope is lost, and whatever happened in South Africa would not be a hindrance to your growth, particularly that of your children,” he said.
Ume-Ezeoke, the group’s coordinator, commended previous efforts by the Federal Government to support Nigerians affected by the situation.
He also urged the returnees to see their return as an opportunity to rebuild their lives, noting that Nigeria had significant potential that they could harness for their personal development and that of the country.
