OWERRI, NIGERIA – Governor has reportedly approved a financial support package of ₦1 million for each indigene of Imo State who was recently repatriated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
The development was disclosed by , Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), during the reception of the first batch of evacuees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, the intervention is aimed at helping the returnees rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society after being forced to leave South Africa amid growing security concerns.
The repatriation exercise was coordinated by the Federal Government in collaboration with relevant agencies following a wave of attacks against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa. Hundreds of Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation were flown back home through a series of government-approved evacuation flights.
In addition to the ₦1 million support announced by the Imo State Government, corporate and humanitarian partners also contributed to the reintegration efforts. Telecommunications giant MTN reportedly provided ₦100,000 cash support to each returnee, alongside ₦50,000 worth of airtime and starter packs. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also assisted with transportation arrangements to help the evacuees reach their respective destinations.
Dabiri-Erewa commended Governor Uzodinma’s gesture and encouraged other state governments to support their citizens affected by the crisis. She stressed that successful reintegration would require collective efforts from government institutions, private-sector organizations, and community stakeholders.
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