The Federal Government says another batch of 83 Nigerians returning from South Africa will arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Tuesday.
According to Ebienfa, the returnees are scheduled to depart the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 3:35 p.m. local time aboard South African Airways and are expected to arrive in Lagos at approximately 8:45 p.m. the same day.
The latest returnees are being brought back through the intervention and sponsorship of air tickets by public-spirited private individuals, the ministry said.
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the sponsors, describing their intervention as an example of public-private collaboration in responding to humanitarian and consular emergencies involving Nigerians abroad.
The development comes after the conclusion of the government’s voluntary repatriation programme, through which nearly 1,490 Nigerians were returned from South Africa amid concerns over rising Afrophobic attacks and anti-foreigner sentiments in the country.
The ministry said the government remained committed to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians at home and abroad, describing Nigerians in the diaspora as critical assets to national development.
It also called on the organised private sector, corporate organisations, state governments, philanthropists and other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the sponsors of the latest evacuation and support efforts to assist citizens facing consular emergencies.
Ebienfa said the Federal Government would continue to deepen diplomatic engagement with South Africa and other host countries to address the root causes of Afrophobia and prevent violence and discrimination against Nigerians.
He added that the government would work to ensure that acts of violence and discrimination against Nigerians were prevented and that perpetrators were held accountable.
