The federal government has thanked Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating $265,854 to support the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, signed by its spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
The ministry said the donation would fund 500 one-way tickets for distressed Nigerians seeking to return home following xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to convey the profound gratitude of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), led by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for the generous donation of Two Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four US Dollars ($265,854.00) towards the purchase of 500 one-way tickets for the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from South Africa,” the statement said.
The ministry said the funds would be deployed in partnership with the church’s leadership in South Africa to facilitate the return of the 500 Nigerians.
It said 1,640 Nigerians had so far been evacuated from South Africa, with the Federal Government sponsoring 1,385 and philanthropic donations supporting the return of 255.
The government began the evacuation exercise in June following reports of renewed xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The ministry said 202 Nigerians were still awaiting final screening by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs before they could return to Nigeria.
It added that Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria and Consulate General in Johannesburg were assisting Nigerians who wished to return home.
The Federal Government also said it remained open to partnerships with private organisations, philanthropists, faith-based organisations and other stakeholders willing to support Nigerians in the diaspora.
The ministry said the government would continue engaging South African authorities on issues concerning xenophobia and Afrophobia against Nigerians.
