Enugu State Government has welcomed 77 families who returned from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic attacks.
According to NAN, the returnees who comprised of 112 persons from the state were welcomed in event organised at the International Conference Centre (ICC) where the State Government gifted each family ₦1 million.
Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, who represented the governor encouraged the fleeing citizens to try their best to rebuild their lives in Enugu. While condemning the attacks on the black African migrants in South Africa, Governor Peter Mbah added that efforts were made to profiling of 42 additional returnee families in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
“The renewed attacks and hostility directed at black African migrants in parts of South Africa is condemnable and have forced many Nigerians to reconsider their safety and return home,” he said.
Mbah said that ₦1M gift was but a token of support to make sure the people reestablish quicker, while also promising more incentives for the returnees in the coming days.
Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora, Mrs Olangwa Ezekwu, thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and NiDCOM, led by Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for facilitating the safe return.
One of the returnees, Chidinma Ogbonna, speaking on other’s behalf, thanked Governor Peter Mbah, saying that “we feel at home”.