By Jack Acheme, Kano
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has received 146 stranded Nigerians from Niamey, capital of Niger Republic.
The returnees were received at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano by the NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Office, Dr Nuraddeen Abdullahi.
According to him, the returnees comprise of 56 male adults, 39 female adults and 51 children, stressing that the returnees were from different parts of Nigeria particularly, Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Lagos, Imo, Enugu and Edo States.
“The returnees were brought back through a voluntary repatriation program, under the care of International Organisation for Migration (IOM),” said Dr Nurudeen.
The coordinator noted that the program was for distressed Nigerians, who had left the country in search of greener pastures in various European countries, but could not afford to return, when their journey became difficult.
He urged the public especially youths to avoid endangering their lives by travelling to seek for greener pastures in other countries.
Recounting his ordeal, Mr. Emeka Njoku, from Imo State said he travelled to Tunisia four months ago to seek for greener pasture.
“I am a graduate for the past eight years. I have been looking for job, no job and I don’t have capital to start a business and have a family to cater for. On reaching Tunisia I really suffered,” he said.
Mr. Njoku called on the government to provide job opportunities and empowerment package to discourage people for embarking on such journeys.
NEMA had on May 17, 2023 received 148 stranded Nigerians from Niamey, Niger Republic.
The returnees expressed gratitude to IOM and the Federal Government of Nigeria for their safe return.
