THE Federal Government has received 66 more stranded Nigerians who arrived from South Africa following private sector intervention to aid the safe and dignified return of vulnerable citizens abroad.

The returnees, comprising 21 men and 45 women and children, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Wednesday aboard a South African Airways flight.

According to the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the National Refugee Commission, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Alexander Oturu, their repatriation was fully funded by the Chairman of ValueJet Nigeria, Kunle Soname, who sponsored the flight tickets as part of humanitarian support for the federal government’s migration management efforts.

He said they were accompanied from South Africa by the Minister Consular at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to ensure seamless consular logistics.

Receiving the returnees, Oturu who represented the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the agency, Tijani Ahmed, noted that inter agency collaboration remains vital in managing migration challenges.

He said “The commission is committed to working with sister agencies, development partners, private sector actors, and well-meaning Nigerians to strengthen coordinated return, reception, and reintegration processes.”

Also present at the reception were the Comptroller of Immigration, MMIA Command, Chris Uzoma, representing the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, the Lagos Zonal Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Tunde Mohammed and the Lagos Coordinator of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dipo Odebowale.

Upon arrival, the returnees were profiled by relevant security and emergency agencies to obtain biometric data for follow up support and strategic reintegration planning. They were provided with humanitarian welcome packs and mobile SIM cards donated by MTN Nigeria, Oturu explained.
Following the profiling exercise, NEMA officials assisted in conveying the returnees to their various destinations.
Additionally, the federal government has assured that the citizens would be linked to existing social investment and economic empowerment programmes designed to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities.