More than 30 indigenes of Imo State who recently returned from South Africa have appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma to extend the state’s ₦1 million reintegration grant to them.
The returnees made the appeal on Thursday as they gathered close to the Imo State Government House in Owerri, seeking access to officials handling the state’s reintegration programme for Nigerians returning from South Africa.
Carrying placards, the group called on the state government to include them among beneficiaries of the financial assistance, saying they needed support to rebuild their lives after returning to Nigeria.
The returnees acknowledged the support already provided by the Uzodimma administration to other Imo indigenes repatriated from South Africa but expressed concern that their names had not been captured for the programme.
One of the protesters appealed directly to the state government, saying the group had come together to seek inclusion in the assistance scheme.
“We are pleading to whoever is in charge to please include us and assist,” the returnee said.
Another member of the group, Joseph Njoku, said they appreciated the governor’s initiative but wanted the same opportunity extended to those who had recently arrived.
“We appreciate what the Governor started but we have not been captured. We want the support from him,” Njoku said.
In June, Governor Uzodimma announced a ₦1 million cash grant for each Imo indigene repatriated from South Africa.
The governor made the announcement while receiving the first batch of Nigerian returnees from the country, as part of efforts to support their reintegration into society.
The latest group is asking the state government to broaden the programme so that they can also benefit from the financial support.
The returnees said the grant would help them restart their lives and establish sources of livelihood following their return.
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The return of the Imo indigenes followed a wave of attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
Foreigners had faced hostility from some South Africans who accused them of taking employment opportunities meant for citizens.
The attacks and growing tensions prompted the repatriation of affected Nigerians, including indigenes of Imo State.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Chief Declan Emelumba, were unsuccessful as of the time this report was filed.
Calls placed to the commissioner were reportedly unanswered.
