By Paul Joseph
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has airlifted the first 107 Nigerians from South Africa as part of its initiative to facilitate the return of about 500 Nigerians to the country.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday night after departing Johannesburg.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, and other relevant government agencies received the returnees and commenced their profiling.
The intervention followed an appeal from the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa for assistance in bringing home Nigerians affected by security and humanitarian concerns.
Pastor Belemina Obunge, Chairman of the RCCG Task Force for the Reception of Nigerian Returnees from South Africa and Special Adviser to the General Overseer on Special Duties, said the intervention was approved by RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on humanitarian grounds.
According to Obunge, the first flight marks the commencement of RCCG’s programme to fund air transportation for 500 Nigerians from Johannesburg to Lagos, with additional batches expected after the completion of documentation and clearance procedures.
Returnees Not Selected Based on Religion
Obunge explained that the beneficiaries were not selected based on their membership of RCCG or religious affiliation.
He said the returnees had been profiled and documented by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa in collaboration with relevant South African authorities.
Nigerians from different religious backgrounds were included, with nationality and the need for assistance serving as the basis for eligibility.
NEMA Begins Profiling
Following their arrival in Lagos, the returnees underwent profiling by government agencies before arrangements were made for their onward transportation to their respective states.
The agencies are responsible for reception, coordination and onward support, while RCCG is funding the air transportation.
The latest airlift follows RCCG’s earlier donation of $265,854 towards the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
The church said the contribution was intended to provide safe passage for vulnerable Nigerians seeking to return home amid concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic tensions.
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously said the donation would cover 500 one-way tickets.
The RCCG-supported operation is part of a broader repatriation exercise involving the Nigerian government.
In a September 4 update, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 1,640 Nigerians had been returned from South Africa, with the Federal Government sponsoring 1,385 returnees while philanthropic support covered another 255.
The ministry also disclosed that 202 Nigerians were awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs.
Further RCCG-supported flights are expected as documentation and clearance for other registered Nigerians are completed.
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