Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has called on indigenes of the state evacuated from South Africa following ‘xenophobic attacks’ to turn their ordeal into an opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute to the development of the state.
Aiyedatiwa gave the advice on Friday during the presentation of financial assistance to 45 returnees at an official welcoming and empowerment programme held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Akure.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations in the state.
Speaking at the programme, Aiyedatiwa said his administration is prepared to support the returnees to rebuild their lives and contribute to the development of their various communities in the state.
The governor, who presented N1 million each to the 45 returnees, amounting to N45 million, said the financial support will enable them restart their businesses and establish sustainable means of livelihood after returning home.
According to him, the intervention was part of his administration’s commitment to supporting vulnerable citizens and ensuring that indigenes forced to return home were not left without assistance.
He specifically noted that the returnees should see their experiences abroad as lessons that could be transformed into opportunities, rather than allowing the ordeal to discourage them.
‘Look around, look for opportunities, see the needs and meet the needs. That’s how to make money. There are needs everywhere when you look,’ Aiyedatiwa said.
He said the government was interested not only in providing immediate relief but also in empowering the returnees to become economically productive and self-reliant.
Assuring the returnees of government’s support as they reintegrate into their communities, the governor stressed that Ondo State remained their home and would continue to provide opportunities for them to thrive.
He explained that reintegration must go beyond bringing the returnees home to encompass skills development, economic support, counselling, entrepreneurship and the provision of an enabling environment.
The governor, however, advised the returnees to reconnect with their local governments and extended families and reintegrate into their communities.
‘As long as you are Nigerian, you can live in any part of the country. In South Africa, they don’t want to see you but there is nowhere we want to send you to.
‘Nigeria has to receive you back as citizens of this country. And since you have traced your roots back to Ondo State, we also receive you as our own,’ he added.
He commended the Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora for the safe return of the affected indigenes, describing their intervention as necessary in ensuring that the returnees were reunited with their families.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations in the State, Hon Wale Akinlosotu said the reception demonstrated that Ondo State remained home to its people regardless of where they had lived.
Akinlosotu described the event as more than a ceremony, saying the governor’s intervention reflected his commitment to the welfare and dignity of Ondo indigenes.
He commended governor Aiyedatiwa for his ‘magnanimous intervention and compassionate leadership’ after being informed about the plight of the returnees.
The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to see the financial support support as a foundation for rebuilding their lives and not merely as financial assistance.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Ajibade James Ogunleye lauded the state government for receiving them with dignity and compassion.
Ogunleye said the returnees endured several difficulties in South Africa, including alleged violent attacks, challenges relating to permits and healthcare, and the loss of businesses and properties.
He explained that the evacuation provided an escape route for many of them, noting that some were forced to abandon businesses and properties they had painstakingly built in South Africa to return home safely.
He appreciated the federal and state governments for facilitating their evacuation, providing accommodation and supporting their reintegration.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olumide Aserere, also commended stakeholders involved in the evacuation and reintegration exercise.
Aserere particularly appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for supporting the returnees, saying the intervention demonstrated the administration’s commitment to the welfare of Ondo citizens.
The Nation recall that the beneficiaries had earlier been evacuated from South Africa following reported xenophobic attacks and other hostile experiences faced by Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.