The first batch of 100 Nigerians repatriated from South Africa through a humanitarian intervention by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday night.
The returnees are the first batch of at least 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), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and other relevant agencies received the returnees at the airport, where profiling commenced.
A NEMA official said the returnees would be transported to their respective state capitals after the profiling exercise.
Speaking to journalists ahead of their arrival, Chairman of the RCCG Task Force for the Reception of Nigerian Returnees from South Africa, Pastor Belemina Obunge, said the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, approved the funding 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.
“Moved by compassion for Nigerians who were required to return home from South Africa, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, approved the funding of the air transportation of 500 Nigerians from Johannesburg to Lagos.
“This first batch marks the commencement of that humanitarian intervention, with additional batches expected to follow,” he said.
The cleric stressed that the returnees were not selected based on their membership of the RCCG, noting that Nigerians of different faiths were included in the exercise.
“They are Nigerians who, by reason of the situation we are all aware of, need to come back home,” he said.
Obunge explained that the Nigerian High Commission was working with South African Home Affairs officials to profile and document Nigerians eligible for repatriation.
He added that the RCCG had deliberately ensured that people of different religious backgrounds were included.
“They are Muslims, Christians, all religions. And we are intentional in making sure that we have collaborated with the various government agencies,” he said.
According to Obunge, the church’s intervention covers the cost of air transportation from Johannesburg to Lagos, while government agencies are responsible for the reception, processing and onward movement of the returnees.
“The church task force is here to welcome them upon arrival. We shall be offering prayers, we shall be encouraging them, and we shall support their orderly handover to the appropriate government agencies,” he said.
He urged state governments to welcome their returning citizens and provide support to facilitate their reintegration into society.
“We use this opportunity to urge the states and governments to welcome their people home and see what they can do, as some have already started doing, to assist with the effective reintegration of their people into society,” he said.
Obunge said the repatriation followed an appeal from the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa on behalf of Nigerians facing difficulties there.
He also encouraged other religious organisations to support Nigerians experiencing similar challenges in other countries.
“We are encouraging other religious organisations to take cue. As you rightly said, other nations have similar challenges. We have set an example with South Africa,” he said.
The RCCG chairman said at least 500 Nigerians were expected to be repatriated under the initiative, although the final number could be slightly higher because children and infants were among those returning.
“We are aware it may be slightly more than 500, maybe 10, 20 more than 500 because some infants are coming in, some children are coming in. But it’s 500 minimum, maybe 10, 20 more,” he said.
He explained that the returnees would be brought back in batches because each person must complete the required documentation and clearance processes in South Africa.
“There is a process in South Africa. The process requires they are being cleared by the High Commission and they are being cleared by Home Affairs. A lot of documentation has to be done.
“Once the next batch is ready, we shall be so informed, and they shall be brought back home,” he said.
Obunge urged Nigerians who remain stranded in South Africa to approach the Nigerian diplomatic mission to complete the necessary documentation and seek assistance.
“We urge all Nigerians that are stranded there to do what their colleagues are doing. Go to the embassy. Go to the High Commission. They are more than willing to do what they need to do to make sure that the suffering of Nigerians comes to an end,” he said.
He commended the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NEMA, airport authorities and other stakeholders involved in the repatriation exercise.
Obunge said the RCCG would continue to welcome and encourage the returnees as they begin the next phase of their lives.
“Their return is not the end of their journey, but it is the beginning of a new chapter,” he said.
The returnees were subsequently presented with food packs by the RCCG team.
Pastors Amos Emovon, Patrick Uponi, Kate Ojo and Lanre Aiyedun were also among those who joined the RCCG team to receive the returnees at the airport.
