RCCG repatriates first batch of 107 Nigerians home from South Africa
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has facilitated the repatriation of 107 Nigerians from South Africa, who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday night.
The returnees are the first batch of 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) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, among other agencies, received the returnees at the airport, after which profiling commenced.
The Head of Operations, NEMA, Mohammed Olatunde, said the returnees would be transported to their respective state capitals after the profiling exercise.
Pastor Belemina Obunge, the chairman, RCCG Task Force for the Reception of Nigerian Returnees from South Africa, said RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, approved the funding for the repatriation on humanitarian grounds.
Obunge said the returnees had been profiled and documented by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and the South African Home Affairs authorities. He stressed that they were not selected based on their membership of the RCCG, adding that Nigerians of different faiths were included.
He disclosed that the church’s intervention covered the cost of air transportation from Johannesburg to Lagos, while government agencies would handle their reception, processing and onward movement. He also urged state governments to support the reintegration of their citizens.
Obunge said at least 500 Nigerians were expected to be repatriated, although the number could be slightly higher because children and infants were among those being brought home. He explained that the returnees would arrive in batches due to the documentation and clearance process, while urging stranded Nigerians in South Africa to approach the Nigerian diplomatic mission for assistance.
