Xenophobic attack: 112 South African returnees arrive Enugu

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State warmly welcomed 77 families, consisting of 112 indigenous citizens, who recently returned to the state after enduring xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The governor met with the returnees at the International Conference Centre in Enugu on Thursday, alongside Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia.

Mbah expressed the state government's commitment to supporting the returnees as they adapt and rebuild their lives in Enugu. He also collaborated with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to profile another 42 families anticipated to return from South Africa. In response to the attacks, Mbah condemned the violence and acknowledged that some of the returnees may have lost businesses, properties, investments, and years of hard work.

He introduced a N1 million support fund for each of the 77 families, clarifying that the fund is not compensation for their losses, but rather a seed fund to assist them in restarting their lives in the state.

The governor urged the returnees to leverage their acquired skills, knowledge, entrepreneurial experience, and networks from South Africa to explore new opportunities in Enugu. Additionally, the state's chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, encouraged the returnees to capitalize on available opportunities and build a successful future in the region.