The first batch of 100 Nigerians repatriated from South Africa through a humanitarian intervention by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday night.
The returnees are part of at least 500 Nigerians whose air transportation from Johannesburg to Lagos is being funded by the RCCG following an appeal from the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and other relevant agencies received the returnees at the airport.
The returnees subsequently underwent profiling as part of the reception and reintegration process.
A NEMA official said those who completed the profiling exercise would be transported to their respective state capitals.
Speaking ahead of the arrival, the Chairman of the RCCG Task Force for the Reception of Nigerian Returnees from South Africa, Pastor Belemina Obunge, said RCCG General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye approved the funding as a humanitarian intervention.
Obunge said the returnees had been profiled and documented by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa in collaboration with South African Home Affairs authorities.
“Moved by compassion for Nigerians who were required to return home from South Africa, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, approved the funding of the air transportation of 500 Nigerians from Johannesburg to Lagos.”
He said Thursday’s arrival marked the beginning of the repatriation exercise, with additional groups expected to return once the required documentation and clearance processes are completed.
Obunge stressed that the returnees were not selected based on their religious affiliation or membership of the RCCG.
He said Nigerians of different faiths were included in the repatriation exercise.
“They are Muslims, Christians, all religions. And we are intentional in making sure that we have collaborated with the various government agencies.”
According to him, the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa is working with the South African Home Affairs authorities to complete the profiling and documentation of Nigerians who are eligible to return.
He explained that the RCCG’s financial responsibility covered air transportation from Johannesburg to Lagos, while government agencies were responsible for receiving, profiling and facilitating the onward movement of the returnees.
“Permit me to remind us that RCCG’s intervention covers the funding of the returnees and their air transportation from Johannesburg to Lagos.”
Obunge said the church task force would also provide support to the returnees upon arrival, including prayers and encouragement, before their formal handover to the relevant government agencies.
He urged state governments to receive their citizens and assist them with reintegration into their communities.
“We use this opportunity to urge the states and governments to welcome their people home and see what they can do, as some have already started doing, to assist with the effective reintegration of their people into society.”
The RCCG chairman said the intervention followed an appeal from the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa after Nigerians faced difficulties and became stranded in the country.
He also encouraged other religious organisations to consider similar humanitarian interventions for Nigerians experiencing difficulties abroad.
“We are encouraging other religious organisations to take cue. As you rightly said, other nations have similar challenges. We have set an example with South Africa.”
Obunge said the church expects at least 500 Nigerians to be repatriated under the initiative, although the final number could be slightly higher because children and infants are among those returning.
“We are aware it may be slightly more than 500, maybe 10, 20 more than 500 because some infants are coming in, some children are coming in. But it’s 500 minimum, maybe 10, 20 more.”
He explained that the returnees were being brought back in batches because each person must complete the necessary documentation and clearance with the Nigerian High Commission and South African Home Affairs authorities.
“Once the next batch is ready, we shall be so informed, and they shall be brought back home.”
Obunge urged Nigerians still stranded in South Africa to contact the Nigerian diplomatic mission and complete the required documentation so they can be considered for assistance.
He commended the Nigerian diplomatic mission, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NCFRMI, NEMA, airport authorities and other agencies involved in the exercise.
The RCCG team also distributed food packs to the returnees after their arrival.
Obunge said the church would continue to support and encourage the returnees as they begin the process of settling back into Nigeria.
“Their return is not the end of their journey, but it is the beginning of a new chapter.”
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