0
By Danniella Adrian-Elamah
The Oyo State Government has received 70 indigenes evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks against foreigners and has commenced efforts to reintegrate them into their communities.
The returnees, comprising 42 adults and 28 minors, were formally received by the state government in Ibadan.
The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Migration and Homeland Security, ACG Segun Adegoke (rtd), who received the returnees on behalf of the governor, assured them that their return would not be seen as a failure but as an opportunity to begin a new chapter.
Adegoke said the government was assessing the individual circumstances of the returnees to determine the support they needed to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society.
He noted that their experiences abroad, including skills, knowledge, business exposure and networks, could be useful in contributing to the development of Oyo State.
The government also carried out basic medical checks on the returnees, including blood pressure and blood sugar tests, while assessing their health and other needs.
Adegoke urged Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad to avoid dangerous and irregular migration routes, stressing that migration itself was not the problem but unsafe means of travelling.
He said the state government would continue to support safe and regular migration while creating opportunities for residents to prosper at home.
Some of the returnees described their evacuation from South Africa as painful, particularly because they were forced to leave behind their businesses, livelihoods and plans.
