A fresh batch of Nigerians evacuated from war-torn Sudan have arrived in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) disclosed this on Saturday via its Twitter page.
The commission announced that the evacuated Nigerians comprising 124 adults and seven infants arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at about 1:45 pm Nigerian time.
“Another batch of Evacuees: 131 Nigerian nationals (evacuees) 124 Adults, 7 Infants that departed Port Sudan International Airport landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at 1:45 pm via Tarco Airline B737-300 Aircraft today Saturday, 6th May 2023,” the statement reads.
“Max Air with a capacity of 540 PAX, AZMAN Air with 400 PAX and C130 are on the ground to evacuate others, while Tarco promised to make two more trips as well as Air Peace on standby,” the commission added.
Many foreigners, including hundreds of Nigerians, have been airlifted back home from Sudan after fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, RSF.
Integrity News reported that the first batch of Nigerians evacuated from Sudan through Egypt by Air Peace arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 11:30pm on Wednesday, 3/05/2023.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane conveying another set of Nigerians also landed at the airport in Abuja at about 12 am Nigerian time.
The evacuees received ₦100,000 each from the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) upon their arrival.
The Foundation said the support is part of efforts to assist the government in carrying out humanitarian activities.
Mrs. Buhari-Shehu, who was representing the Managing Director of the ADF, Zouera Youssoufou, pledged that the Aliko Dangote Foundation will continue to back the federal government in resettling Nigerians evacuated back home.
the Nigerian Diaspora is part and parcel of the population to bring about accelerated economic growth using their resources, intellect and global exposure. They are the real catalyst and asset for economic development of the country.
NIDCOM ACTIVITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS
Since the establishment of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, a lot of activities have been embarked upon to fulfil the mandates of the Commission. Within two years, the Commission has lived up to expectations and even beyond it despite daunting challenges.
Such activities include advocacy to states to key into the larger Diaspora movement with the inauguration of Diaspora focal point offices and officers in 33 out of the 36 states of the Federation including the FCT.
In May 2021, the focal point officers coordinated by NIDCOM had a successful three-day Summit in Abuja, the third in the series since 2019.
NIDCOM also ensured the consolidation of the declaration of July 25 every year, by the Federal Government of Nigeria as `National Diaspora Day’, a date set aside to recognise and appraise Nigerians in the Diaspora on their contributions to national development. This is to ensure networking, dialogue and constructive interface between Nigerian professionals and experts in the Diaspora and Nigerians at home on development challenges and opportunities. The third in the series will hold on Sunday July 25, 2021 via hybrid and webinar.