Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday urged indigenes of the state evacuated from South Africa to turn their ordeal into opportunities, assuring them of government support to rebuild their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.
He spoke at the official receptin and empowerment programme for the returnees held at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the Governor’s Office in Akure.
He said despite the circumstances that forced them to leave South Africa, the returnees had come back with skills, knowledge and international exposure that could be deployed to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the state’s economy.
The governor urged them to look beyond their experiences, identify needs within their communities, develop their skills and engage in legitimate enterprises.
“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,” he said.
He said government had approved a sum for each returnee as a token of support to enable them to settle down.
Aiyedatiwa added that their profiles and biodata would be collected, while forms would be sent through the Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations to facilitate the settlement process.
According to him, the intervention reflects his administration’s commitment to ensuring that citizens returning home have hope, dignity, opportunity and a sense of belonging.
He stressed 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 urged 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 said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, Otunba Wale Akinlosotu, said the state welcomed the returnees to reaffirm that Ondo remains home to its people, irrespective of how far they travelled.
Akinlosotu said the government would not abandon its citizens in times of difficulty, stressing that the homecoming was more than a ceremony.
He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for what he described as his “magnanimous intervention and compassionate leadership”, saying the governor responded with empathy and decisiveness after being informed of their plight.
According to him, the intervention demonstrates the governor’s “human-centred leadership” and commitment to the welfare and dignity of the people.
The commissioner urged the returnees to utilise the empowerment opportunities provided by government as a foundation for rebuilding their lives and contributing to Ondo State’s development.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Mr Ajibade James Ogunleye appreciated the state government for welcoming and supporting them.
He recounted what he described as harrowing experiences in South Africa, including violent attacks, permit and healthcare difficulties and the loss of businesses and properties.
He said the evacuation exercise eventually gave many of them an opportunity to leave, with some abandoning everything they had built in South Africa to ensure their safety.
The returnee appreciated the Federal Government and Ondo State Government for facilitating their return and providing accommodation and support.
In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, Dr Olumide Aserere, appreciated stakeholders for their contributions to the successful reintegration of the returnees.
He thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for his commitment and support towards their welfare and reintegration, saying his efforts demonstrated the importance attached to citizens’ well-being.
In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami: Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Members of the State Executive Council; Political Appointees, among others.
