How Over Five Celebrities' Phones Were Stolen At Alex Ekubo's Service Of Songs In Lagos

Nollywood actor Stan Nze has condemned the reported theft of several mobile phones during the service of songs held in honour of late actor Alexx Ekubo, saying the incident reflects a deeper crisis of values among Nigerians.

The Nigerian entertainment industry gathered on Wednesday to pay tribute to Ekubo, who died on May 11, 2026, after a battle with kidney cancer. However, reports of missing phones at the event sparked controversy on social media, with some attendees confirming that their devices were stolen.

Speaking in a video posted after the ceremony on Thursday, Nze, who hosted the event, revealed that more than five phones were reported missing.

“I hosted my dear friend’s, my brother’s service of song last night, and it was one of the hardest things to do, but what I want to address is the fact that at that service of songs, over five phones went missing, and this I’m saying five phones because I don’t want to exaggerate,” he said.

The actor said he personally knew some of the victims, including Nollywood actress Susan Peters. Reality TV star Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan, popularly known as BamBam, also confirmed that her phone was stolen. According to her, a friend and another man in her group lost their phones as well, bringing the number of missing devices linked to her group to at least three.

Nze said the situation became so alarming that organisers had to temporarily prevent guests from leaving the venue while efforts were made to locate the missing phones.

Expressing disbelief over the incident, he questioned how individuals could steal from people gathered to mourn a deceased colleague.

“It just got me thinking, how do you come to a place where people are mourning, where people are grieving and you steal from them? Okay, let’s even leave God aside, what has happened to our conscience as a people?” he said.

While acknowledging frequent complaints about insecurity, killings and poor governance in the country, the actor argued that Nigerians must also confront personal and societal shortcomings.

“At a point, they had to block the gate that people would not leave until they found the phones. Oh God, the government is not our problem. I don’t think government is our problem. Even if we chase everybody in government now out, who will lead? Who will do the job?” he said.

Nze further maintained that meaningful change cannot be achieved through government policies alone if citizens fail to uphold honesty, kindness and accountability in their daily lives. He lamented that some people condemn leaders while engaging in unethical behaviour themselves.

“You’re saying the government is bad, but you are wicked. You’re not kind, not with your words, not with giving, not with sympathy. We’re not kind people. I feel this is the height of it. Where people are mourning, you come to steal from them, add more sorrow to them.”

Calling on Nigerians to take responsibility for their actions and speak up against wrongdoing, the actor urged citizens to look out for one another and uphold values that promote compassion and integrity.

The reported thefts have continued to generate reactions online, with the incident drawing attention to concerns about security at public gatherings and reigniting debate over the role of individual conduct in addressing broader societal challenges.

  

Read More

Women Criticise Me Online But Chase Me In Real Life — Popular Social Media Personality, GehGeh

Social media personality and self-acclaimed financial expert, Ojaigho Prosper, popularly known as GehGeh, has said that women who criticise him online often behave differently when they meet him in real life, stating that he receives more attention from women offline than men.

Speaking in a recent media interview, GehGeh reflected on his rise to social media fame, stating that his journey began with a desire to share real-life financial lessons rather than chase online popularity.

He said, “I was simply coming from a place where I wanted to share my experiences because I felt I had enough knowledge and life experiences to share with people.”

He recalled that one of his earliest viral videos focused on why renting an apartment could, in some cases, be better than building a house, a perspective he said resonated with many viewers. According to him, the video gained wider attention after it was reposted by music executive, Don Jazzy.

Geh Geh said his rise to fame came as a surprise, adding that he only realised the scale of his influence when strangers began approaching him in public to share how his content impacted their lives.

However, his views on relationships and masculinity have often sparked criticism online, with some accusing him of promoting misogynistic ideas. He dismissed the label, insisting that the backlash is often rooted in insecurity.

“I have noticed that women don’t like my advice online because many of them feel that if their husbands or boyfriends watch my videos, they may stop giving them money the way they used to,” he said.

He, however, maintained that his offline experiences tell a different story.

“When women see me in real life, they approach me more than men do. The way they react to me online and in person are two completely opposite things,” he added.

Geh Geh also defended his stance on financial discipline in relationships, explaining that his content originally focused on personal finance before evolving into relationship commentary.

“I realised that a lot of the financial problems men face come from investing in relationships and partners they shouldn’t be investing in,” he said.

Addressing questions about his personal life, he confirmed that he has had multiple relationships, adding that his cultural background permits polygamy.

He also responded to public criticism over his sister’s recent claim that he does not support her financially, insisting that his philosophy on self-reliance applies equally to family members.

“I recently transferred N5m to her,” he said, adding that both of them share the same upbringing and opportunities.

On trending conversations surrounding celebrity relationships, Geh Geh criticised the engagement between fellow content creators, Peller and Jarvis, describing it as unsustainable.

“I swear, it pained me. The boy is constantly performing,” he said, arguing that young relationships built on public attention often struggle in the long term.

  

Read More

Why Risks Of Electric Fire Are Increasing In Lagos - Manager, Schneider Electric West Africa

Rapid urban development and expanding high-rise infrastructure in Lagos are increasing the risk of electrical fires, according to Schneider Electric, which is calling for stronger integration of fire safety into electrical system design.

Offer Manager for Power Products at Schneider Electric West Africa, Opeyemi Olaniyan, said in an opinion piece to The PUNCH that fire safety must no longer be treated as a compliance requirement but as a foundational element of electrical infrastructure design.

He warned that as industrialisation and urbanisation accelerate across West Africa, electrical systems are becoming more complex and exposed to higher risks, particularly fire-related incidents.

“The safety of electrical infrastructure is non-negotiable, particularly in a time when industrialisation and urbanisation in West Africa require reliable and efficient power provision,” Olaniyan stated.

“As systems expand in scale and complexity, one critical risk demands greater attention: electrical fires.”

The executive said the consequences of poor fire safety design go beyond asset damage, noting that failures can trigger operational disruptions, reputational damage, higher insurance costs, and loss of life.

Lagos, home to Africa’s fastest-growing skyline, has seen rapid expansion in commercial buildings and residential towers, a development he said is increasing exposure to electrical fire hazards. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service records hundreds of fire outbreaks annually, many in commercial and multi-storey structures.

Olaniyan said traditional fire protection systems that rely on isolated components or reactive responses are no longer sufficient for modern infrastructure demands.

Instead, he called for integrated and intelligent electrical systems that embed fire mitigation into both low-voltage and medium-voltage distribution networks from the design stage.

He outlined key features of modern systems to include real-time monitoring of temperature and humidity, early fault detection mechanisms, integrated protection systems, and proactive prevention tools designed to reduce downtime and economic losses.

He also stressed the importance of synchronising protection mechanisms across entire distribution networks to improve resilience and responsiveness.

Beyond technology, Olaniyan highlighted the need for stronger technical capacity across the sector, including engineers, contractors, and system integrators.

He said building an ecosystem of expertise through training and knowledge transfer is essential to improving the quality and consistency of electrical installations.

At Schneider Electric, he said, emphasis is placed on upskilling both internal teams and channel partners to strengthen understanding of system integration and fire safety practices.

Recent fire incidents in commercial facilities across West Africa, including the 2024 Afriland Tower fire in Lagos that claimed seven lives, have intensified calls for preventive electrical design and monitoring, he added.

Olaniyan said such incidents are driving greater awareness and accelerating investment in fire mitigation technologies.

He said West Africa’s infrastructure growth must be matched with resilient electrical systems designed to prevent disasters before they occur.

“Prevention strategies and technologies must form the cornerstone on which our fast-paced industrial development is built,” he noted.

Culled from the Punch 

Read More

RCCG To Train Over 100,000 Youths On Tech-Related Skills

The Redeemed Christian Church of God has announced plans to train more than 100,000 young Nigerians in technology-related skills as part of activities lined up for its Mega Music Festival 2.0 scheduled for Friday at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The church said the initiative, tagged the RCCG Young Adult and Youth Tech Fellowship, would be officially launched during the event, which is expected to draw thousands of worshippers from across Nigeria and beyond.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Youth Affairs, Sola Olukoya, said the fellowship would provide a four-month practical training programme aimed at equipping young people with skills required for the digital economy.

According to him, the programme, being organised in partnership with Reach4Christ, will focus on areas including data analysis, product development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, software development and digital innovation.

“This transformational initiative is designed to empower over 100,000 young adults and youths through an intensive four-month practical, hands-on technology training programme,” he said.

Olukoya noted that the church’s goal was to prepare young Nigerians for global opportunities while contributing to national development.

“Our mission is to equip young people spiritually, mentally, and professionally — giving them the tools required to access global workforce opportunities, create solutions, build enterprises, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.

The cleric disclosed that the Mega Music Festival, themed “A New Season,” would combine worship, prayers, thanksgiving and prophetic declarations for Nigeria.

He said the event was inspired by the church’s belief that collective worship and prayer could usher in national transformation.

“We believe that when a people honour God with genuine praise, the land responds with increase, restoration, peace, and divine blessings,” Olukoya said.

He added that the church would use the gathering to pray for economic recovery, security, education, innovation and national progress.

“We believe the new season Nigeria desires must include a generation of young people who are empowered, innovative, productive, and guided by godly values,” he said.

Olukoya said the event would feature gospel ministers including Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Yinka Alaseyori and Bidemi Olaoba.

He added that senior ministers, including J. F. Odesola and J. T. Kalejaiye, would lead prayer sessions, while the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, would pronounce blessings and prophetic declarations over the nation.

Olukoya said more than 5,000 volunteers had been mobilised for the event, covering areas such as security, logistics, medical support, sanitation and crowd management.

He also disclosed that free buses would operate from designated locations across Lagos and Ogun states to convey worshippers to and from the venue.

Describing the festival as more than a musical event, he said, “It is an altar of praise. It is a sound of hope. It is a movement of transformation. It is a declaration that Nigeria is entering a new season.”

  

Read More

Arab Bank And Assurance Bank Retirees Stage Protest In Lagos, Demand N32,000 Pension Benefits

Aggrieved ex-employees of the defunct Arab Bank and Assurance Bank took to the streets of Lagos on Wednesday in a protest, accusing regulatory authorities of systemic neglect and pushing them into acute poverty.

The protest was held at the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate office at the old Secretariat within the premises of Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.

The senior citizens, representing roughly 1,020 affected staff nationwide, are demanding immediate intervention from the Federal Government over their exclusion from national welfare packages.

Despite a 20-year dispute since the banks’ liquidation, many of the retirees said they are currently receiving less than N10,000 monthly, a figure far below the nationally approved N32,000 minimum pension baseline.

The peaceful demonstration drew a crowd of elderly protesters wielding placards highlighting their daily battle for survival. Some inscriptions on the placards read, “Today, today, PTAD must answer us,” “20yrs on: No gratuities and retirement benefits. CBN, NDIC, why?”, and “After 32 years of service, where is our 32k pension palliatives?”

The core of their grievance lies in a perceived “discriminatory dichotomy” enforced by PTAD, which absorbed the workers in 2019 but has allegedly failed to match their benefits with those of regular Federal Government retirees.

The voice of the protest was carried by several representatives who stepped forward to detail the human cost of the regulatory standoff.

A protest coordinator and ex-Assurance Bank staff member, Mr Idowu Oshikoya, said, “We are ex-staff of the defunct Arab Bank and Assurance Bank. We worked, and we are qualified to be paid pension. Up till now, many of us are here to be paid; even those who are paid are not sufficiently paid.”

Oshikoya explained that despite the President’s directive ensuring a minimum pension baseline for federal workers, their group has been entirely left out.

“The N32,000 palliative that was granted for all minimum wage… we are excluded. I can tell you for free that many of us here, our pension is under N10,000. I don’t know how we can survive with that,” he added.

Compounding the problem is the lack of clarity regarding the multi-billion-naira physical and intangible assets left behind when the banks were liquidated two decades ago.

Another ex-Assurance Bank worker, Mr Bola Olaniyan, said, “It was the NDIC that liquidated us, and this has been for about 20 years. For 20 years, some of our members have not been paid a dime. We wrote to the NDIC, we wrote to the CBN… they never deemed it fit to reply to us.”

Olaniyan lamented the rapid deterioration of the bank’s former properties, including nearly new vehicle fleets, which could have been liquidated to offset the mounting debt owed to the retirees.

“PTAD will look us in the face—I’ve got 35 years in the bank—and give us N12,000 as pension at the end of the month. Some could not even afford transport to get to this place. Enough of this nonsense… It is either they give us, or we die here,” he said.

The protesters noted that out of the roughly 1,020 qualified staff scattered across Nigeria, many are too frail or impoverished to travel, leaving the Lagos chapter to spearhead the demonstration. While the workers acknowledged they were classified as “unsecured creditors” during the initial liquidation process, they argued that 20 years is an unacceptable period to hide behind bureaucratic red tape.

  

Read More

Lagos First Lady Together With Mrs Hamzat And Others Walk Against Drug Abuse Among Youths

Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and  wife of the deputy governor, Oluremi Hamzat on Thursday charged youths to be ambassadors of the fight against drug abuse and Illicit trafficking.

She spoke at a Walk to mark the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with the theme ‘The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,’ held at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu was joined in the Walk by staff and students of the university, Commissioner for Tertiary Education,Tolani-Sule Akibu, Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Social Development, Abiodun Orekoya, Permanent Secretaries, officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and others.

She said the theme of this year’s fight against drug abuse reflects both long-standing and emerging drug abuse patterns that require collaborative and evidence-based action.

The First Lady described drug abuse as a threat to youths and society as it damages their mental and physical health, academic performance, productivity, relationships, and wellbeing.

“Addiction cuts across age, gender, and social status, yet victims are often stigmatized instead of supported. We must embrace compassion, encourage rehabilitation, and create opportunities for recovery,” she noted.

She expressed the commitment of her office to fighting drug abuse in partnership with NDLEA, ministries of education, health, justice, youth and social development, NGOs, community leaders, market associations, and local government areas.

She further noted that her office has carried out initiatives and sensitization programmes one of which is the Lagos Boy Child Initiative. She added that Caleb University was the third university after Lagos State University, LASU, and University of Lagos, UNILAG; to benefit from her office ‘s advocacy campaign against drug abuse.

“To students, your choices today shape your tomorrow. Drug abuse may bring temporary excitement but destroys dreams, health, education, and career. I urge you to become campaign ambassadors, discourage substance abuse and support those struggling,” she said.

In her remarks, the wife of the deputy governor, Oluremi Hamzat warned the students against drug abuse, warning that it could destroy their dreams and deprive them of opportunities to succeed in life.
She encouraged them to ’embrace positive values’

“Let us break the cycle of drug abuse and build a safer society for all,” she said.

The Vice Chancellor, Caleb University, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia lamented that despite decades of awareness campaigns and policy interventions, the menace of substance abuse continues to evolve.

He said the university is resolved to foster a drug-free environment, promote mental wellness, and equip its students with the resilience and knowledge to reject the temptations of illicit substances.

Ogunluyi Titilope, the Deputy Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Lagos Command, urged the students to join the government in creating awareness, report drug dealers and peddlers and serve as positive role models

Executive Director, Compassionate Care Recovery, Dr Dokun Adedeji in his lecture noted that between 14 to 15million Nigerians use drugs with age brackets ranging from 25 to 39years old and Lagos recording the highest rate with 33%.

He attributed difficulties in recovering from drug abuse to stigma and discrimination, lack of emotional and psychological support among others.

He advocated living a meaningful life, family and community support as part of measures that could help a drug addict to recover.

  

Read More

Our Aim Is To Eliminate New HIV Infections Among Children - Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, CEO LSACA

The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has intensified efforts to eliminate new HIV infections among children and improve maternal health outcomes through a sensitization programme for Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) on the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and Universal Safety Precautions.

The training which held on Thursday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), brought together Traditional Birth Attendants from across Lagos State to enhance their knowledge and capacity in HIV prevention, safe delivery practices, infection prevention and control, stigma reduction, and appropriate referral mechanisms for pregnant women living with HIV.

Declaring the programme open, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, highlighted the critical role Traditional Birth Attendants play in maternal and child healthcare, particularly at the grassroots level where they often serve as the first point of contact for pregnant women seeking care and guidance.

“You are not just birth attendants; you are trusted counsellors, community leaders, and protectors of life. The influence you have on the health decisions of women and families is significant, and we must continue to work together to ensure that every mother and child is protected from HIV,” she said.

 Animashaun explained that the sensitization programme was designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of HIV prevention, safe delivery practices, infection prevention and control measures, stigma reduction, and referral pathways that safeguard mothers, newborns, and healthcare providers.

“No woman should be denied care because she is HIV positive. HIV testing should form part of routine antenatal investigations, and where a pregnant woman tests positive, she should be promptly referred to appropriate healthcare facilities for comprehensive care and treatment,” she stated.

She further disclosed that participants were selected through a collaborative process involving the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board and community stakeholders to ensure broad representation and effective dissemination of knowledge across communities.

“We work closely with traditional structures at the grassroots level to identify participants, monitor knowledge transfer, and obtain feedback. This approach ensures that the impact of the programme extends beyond this training and reaches the communities that need it most,” she added.

Reaffirming the Lagos State Government’s commitment to ending HIV as a public health threat, Animashaun called for stronger collaboration between Traditional Birth Attendants and the formal healthcare system through timely referrals, adherence to universal safety precautions, and the dissemination of accurate health information.

“Through collaboration, early referrals, strict adherence to universal precautions, and accurate information sharing, we can significantly reduce new HIV infections among women and children while promoting safer delivery practices across our communities,” she said.

She however encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, share experiences, ask questions, and apply the knowledge gained during the training to improve maternal and child health outcomes within their communities.

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Adebambo Olushola, one of the facilitators, stressed the importance of professionalism, ethical conduct, and confidentiality in the discharge of duties by Traditional Birth Attendants. She urged participants to uphold clients’ privacy, particularly regarding HIV status, while encouraging pregnant women to access HIV testing, counselling, and treatment services.

One of the participants, Prince Mari Tajudeen, commended the Lagos State Government and LSACA for organizing the sensitization programme, describing it as timely, informative, and impactful.

“We have gained valuable knowledge that will improve the quality of care we provide to pregnant women and newborns. We are committed to applying these lessons in our daily practice to safeguard the health of mothers and children in our communities,” he said.

The sensitization programme forms part of LSACA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community-based HIV prevention interventions and ensure that every pregnant woman in Lagos has access to quality healthcare services that support the birth of healthy, HIV-free children.

  

Read More

Our Protest Was Not Sponsored By Mudashiru Obasa - Aggrieved Lagos APC Aspirants

A coalition of aspirants in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries has denounced what it described as a malicious and distracting attempt to link the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, to the peaceful protests staged last week over the party’s primaries.

In a strongly worded statement signed by prominent party figures and released to the press on Wednesday, June 10, the group insisted that the demonstration was a spontaneous expression of dissatisfaction by aspirants and their supporters across Lagos State.

The statement was signed by, among others, Seye Oladejo (Mushin), Kolawole Taiwo (Ajeromi-Ifelodun), Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa), Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi), Apata Samuel (Somolu), David Doherty (Amuwo-Odofin), Ganiyu Egunjobi (Agege) and Ganiyu Ayuba (Alimosho).

The aspirants stressed that the protest was driven by genuine grievances and not by any sponsorship.

“To suggest that thousands of committed APC members and supporters required sponsorship before voicing their frustrations is insulting to their intelligence and dismissive of their legitimate concerns,” the statement declared.

According to the group, the protesters raised issues of alleged manipulation, distortion of results, cheating, and disregard for party guidelines during the primaries. These concerns, they argued, are neither isolated nor imaginary but reflect the frustrations of party faithful who invested time, resources, and political capital in the democratic process.

The signatories accused unnamed individuals of attempting to scapegoat Speaker Obasa in order to trivialise the complaints and divert attention from the need for justice, reconciliation and unity within the APC.

“Rather than addressing the issues at the heart of the protest, some individuals have chosen the convenient path of scapegoating. Such futile attempts are clearly designed to shift public attention away from the need for fairness and party cohesion,” they noted.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the aspirants urged party leaders to focus on resolving the outstanding issues from the primaries. They emphasised that the APC’s strength lies in its ability to accommodate differing opinions, correct internal shortcomings, and emerge stronger through dialogue and fairness.

“The concerns of aggrieved aspirants and their supporters deserve attention, not diversion. Addressing these grievances sincerely and urgently will strengthen confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes and enable us to approach the forthcoming elections with a united and formidable front,” the statement concluded.

  

Read More

I Have Been Remanded In Kirikiri Correctional Center - Blessing CEO

Social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has disclosed that she has been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos following her arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Blessing CEO made the disclosure in a post on her Facebook page on Wednesday, shortly after appearing before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to her, she pleaded not guilty to charges filed against her after spending 26 days in EFCC custody.

“I have now been remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Center pending when I perfect my bail,” she wrote, adding that she remained in high spirits despite the development.

The influencer said some of the allegations against her stemmed from tenancy-related disputes involving sums of N36 million and N69 million, maintaining that she did not sell any houses through her office.

She also referenced another case involving donations allegedly made after claims that she was battling cancer, insisting she would provide details after the legal proceedings had been concluded.

Blessing CEO noted that this was the second time she would be remanded at the correctional facility, recalling that she was previously detained in 2022 over allegations relating to defamation and cyberbullying.

Despite her legal challenges, she expressed optimism that the situation would ultimately work in her favour, thanking supporters for standing by her and urging them to keep her in their prayers.

Meanwhile, the EFCC on Wednesday announced that it had again arraigned Blessing CEO before Justice Yelim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N13 million fraud.

According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant was arraigned on a fresh six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and retaining proceeds allegedly linked to fraudulent activities.

The EFCC said the charges followed petitions from individuals and groups, including the Nigeria Cancer Society.

The commission alleged that some members of the public made donations to Blessing CEO after social media posts in which she claimed to be battling Stage 4 breast cancer and sought financial assistance for treatment.

The agency further alleged that investigations later revealed that documents she presented in support of the claim were falsified.

Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the court ordered her remand pending the perfection of her bail conditions. The case was subsequently adjourned for further proceedings.

  

Read More

Xenophobia: 270 Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa To Land In Lagos On Thursday

A group of at least 270 Nigerians, who are expected to make up the first batch of returnees from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, is scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Thursday morning as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to assist affected citizens.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, the evacuees will be flown back to Nigeria aboard an Air Peace aircraft departing Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday night.

The flight is expected to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 5 a.m. on Thursday.

Ebienfa said the Federal Government had taken responsibility for the evacuation exercise, including funding and arrangements for the reception of the returnees upon arrival.

“Upon arrival, the evacuees will undergo documentation and profiling procedures and will receive the appropriate assistance and support before being reunited with their families,” the statement added.

The repatriation exercise was initially scheduled to commence on Monday but was postponed until Wednesday due to what the ministry described as “unforeseen logistical considerations.”

Providing further clarification on the delay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, explained that additional time was required to conclude documentation and screening processes being carried out in collaboration with South African authorities.

She noted that more than 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa had participated in the screening exercise, adding that the number of individuals seeking repatriation continued to rise.

The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria also revealed that discussions with South African authorities resulted in concessions for some Nigerians facing immigration-related issues.

According to the mission, it had “negotiated waivers with host authorities” to ensure that individuals with “immigration-related offences” could depart through the repatriation programme instead of being detained.

The evacuation operation is being coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency alongside other relevant government agencies.

The repatriation follows growing concerns over attacks on foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, prompting Nigerian authorities to facilitate the voluntary return of citizens who wish to leave the country.

FG has repeatedly assured Nigerians residing in South Africa of its commitment to their safety and welfare while continuing diplomatic engagements aimed at addressing the situation

  

Read More