Kano, Feb. 21, 2023 – The Federal Government has repatriated 150 stranded Nigerians from Niamey, Niger Republic, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and ECOWAS)
Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said this while receiving the returnees at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Monday.
Umar-Farouq said the returnees, who arrived in Kano Airport at about 3:45 pm, were brought by SKY MALI Airlines, operated by the Ethiopian Airlines.
She said the returnees were repatriated to Nigeria through a voluntary programme.
“The programme was meant for the distressed Nigerians who had left the country to search for greener pastures across European countries and Africa, but could not afford to return when their journey became frustrated,” the minister explained.
The returnees comprised of 125 men, 14 women and 11 children.
“The returnees are from different parts of Nigeria, especially Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina and Kano states, among others,” she added.
Umar-Farouq said the returnees would undergo a three-day training on self-sustainability and would be provided with seed capital to enable them to engage in productive ventures to be self-reliant.
“The returnees are from different parts of Nigeria, especially Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina and Kano states, among others,” she said. (GBN)
