The Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) have disclosed that series of interventions it made with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s Foreign Missions has led to the evacuation of 6,317 Nigerians from troubled spots around the world from September 2019, especially with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said this while speaking at a conference ahead of the Diaspora Day celebration billed to hold on July 25.
She said:”The following series of interventions to ameliorate attacks on black Africans in South Africa including Nigerians, the Commission received the first and second batches of stranded Nigerians back home in Lagos on September 11, 2019, and September 18, 2019. A total of 501 returnees consisting of 187 and 314 Nigerians respectively.
“They received SIM Cards worth of N40,000 airtime plus 9GB of data valid for two months, as well as, a soft loan from the Bank of Industry to support those interested in small trade and businesses”.
“While a programme of re-integration has been put in place with the support of some NGOs and their respective states of origin which had been written by NiDCOM after the returnees had been profiled for necessary assistance.”
The NIDCOM boss said further that as COVID-19 is still on the rampage, the Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Nigerian Missions around the world have evacuated and still evacuating stranded Nigerians anywhere in the world.
Below is an update of the evacuation so far:
US – 3 batches – 806
UK – 3 batches. – 831
Saudi Arabia. – 117
Cairo, Egypt – 372
France – 70
India. 3 batches – 540
UAE Dubai. 5 batches – 1,405
Turkey 2 batches. – 324
Sudan 3 batches. 365
Uganda & Kenya – 172
Senegal – 17
Pakistan – 56
Egypt – 102
China. – 268
Malaysia& Thailand 247
Lebanon – 147
Canada. – 51
South Africa – 324
Ghana- 205,
Total: *6,317*
Dabiri-Erewa added that other African countries with the support of Air Peace Nigeria Ltd, have also evacuated Nigerians multiple times.
