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First Set of Nigerians from South Africa Arrives Wednesday 11th September
With the completion of diplomatic formalities and other immigration requirements, the first set of the over 600 Nigerians who agreed to the federal governments offer for voluntary evacuation from South Africa in the wake of the xenophobic inspired attacks on Africans from other nationalities in South Africa. The attacks which has raised a lot of issues, and caused soured relationship between South Africa and many African countries almost led to a diplomatic spat with Nigeria. Also it took the shine of the World Economic Conference which took place in Cape Town South Africa last week, as many attendees used that opportunity to bring to the fore South Africa’s culture of xenophobia.
The first set made up of about 320 in number will leave South Africa on Wednesday according to the Nigeria Mission in South Africa. The federal government had in the wake of the crisis in South Africa sent an envoy to the President of South Africa, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa condemning the attacks on Nigerians in particular and other African nationals. The government also promised to work with the government of South Africa to tackle issues of crime in the country especially those linked to Nigerians in that country.
The evacuation which was to start last week with Air Peace providing one of its Boeing 777-300ER series to airlift Nigerians willing to be evacuated free of charge was stalled due to the slow documentation process. The process which started on the 3rd of September 2019, could not achieve much as many of the Nigerians there have expired passports and other travel documents. Because of the delay, the Airline had to postpone its evacuation plans till everything is put in place. According to the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, had said the evacuation set to start today (September 6) had thus been postponed to early next week by which time the embassy would have sorted the issue of travel documents. This is because the Nigerians in South Africa have to obtain travel certificates because many of them do not have travel documents and their passports have expired.
He added that since September 3, the airline had placed its Boeing 777 aircraft on standby awaiting a green light from the federal government. The government had on Thursday acknowledged the plans for evacuation by the private operator. Air Peace opted earlier this week to airlift Nigerians who have been affected by the latest upsurge of xenophobic violence in South Africa. South African outlets have been targeted in parts of Nigeria and its embassies closed for security reasons. “The Air Peace flight to South Africa will take off from the Lagos Airport and also return to Lagos. As earlier stated, the take off could be Sept 9 or Sept 10,” he said.
Earlier, a spokesman of the ministry of foreign affairs announced the plan of the airline to evacuate Nigerians who wish to return to Nigeria “free of charge.” Nigerians have lauded the gesture which some hold should have been government’s responsibility.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.
