The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that it recently welcomed a new group of 148 stranded Nigerians who returned from Niamey, Niger Republic.

The Coordinator of NEMA’s Kano Territorial Office, Nuradeen Abdullahi, confirmed their arrival as he received the returnees at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

The returnees arrived on a SKY MALI Airlines flight operated by Ethiopian Airlines, with the registration number UR-CQX.

Their return was facilitated through a voluntary repatriation program organized by the International Organization for Migration.

This program aims to assist distressed individuals who had left the country in search of better opportunities in various European countries but were unable to cover the costs of their return.

The group of returnees comprised individuals from Lagos, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, and other states. Among them were 94 males, 25 females, and 29 children (13 males and 16 females).

ALSO READ: Tinubu departs Nigeria prior to presidential inauguration

Abdullahi explained that the returnees would undergo a three-day training program to equip them with skills for self-sufficiency.

Additionally, they would receive seed capital to support their engagement in productive ventures and promote self-reliance.

The coordinator urged Nigerian youths to avoid risking their lives by embarking on dangerous journeys in search of better opportunities abroad.

He emphasized that no country is superior to Nigeria and encouraged them to channel their experiences towards advocating against irregular migration.

From February to April, NEMA has received a total of 548 stranded Nigerians returning from Niamey, Niger Republic, and Chad.

The returnees were warmly received by NEMA, alongside other relevant agencies, including SEMA, Nigeria Red Cross, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs, as well as the DSS.