The Ondo State Government has promised support for people who returned from South Africa. They left due to xenophobic attacks and security issues that affected their lives and businesses.
In a statement on Thursday, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa made the pledge in Akure during a program to welcome and empower the returnees. He said he approved financial help for each returnee and plans to assess their needs to provide the best support for their resettlement and empowerment.
He noted that coming back home should not mean the end of their struggles but a new start to rebuild their lives. He urged them to use the skills and knowledge they gained in South Africa to create new opportunities in Ondo State.
“The returnees should see their experience abroad as an opportunity to start afresh and contribute to the development of their communities,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor stressed that the support program would offer more than just immediate financial help. He highlighted the importance of skills training, counselling, entrepreneurship, and other economic support.
He encouraged the returnees to identify needs and business chances in their communities. He believes their experience in a different economic setting could help in starting new businesses in Ondo State.
Ajibade James spoke on behalf of the returnees. He shared the tough times they faced in South Africa, including violent attacks and loss of businesses and properties. These challenges forced them to come back home.
Mr Ogunleye thanked the federal and Ondo State governments for helping them return and providing support for those affected. He said many returnees need more than just a ride back to Nigeria because some lost their businesses and assets that were their main sources of income.
Why Nigerians Were Brought Back
The return of the Ondo indigenes is part of a larger effort by Nigeria to bring citizens back home due to rising xenophobic attacks and security fears in South Africa.
The federal government started evacuating Nigerians from South Africa in June after protests and attacks against foreign nationals grew in different areas of the country.
The first batch of 258 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived in Lagos, as reported by PREMIUM TIMES. By 15 July, the federal government said it had evacuated 1,490 Nigerians in seven flights operated by Air Peace and South African Airways.
This move was in response to security worries from ongoing xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians. In addition, over 1,500 Nigerians returned voluntarily from South Africa between 11 June and 15 July. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) coordinated this effort to ensure their safe and respectful return.
The violence occurred amid rising anti-immigrant feelings in South Africa, where migrants have often been blamed for problems like unemployment, crime, and pressure on public services.
This unrest was followed by calls from anti-immigration groups for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, causing fear among Nigerians and other African migrants about their safety.
In July, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that two Nigerian citizens were killed during the wave of anti-migrant violence.
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