Xenophobia: Ihedioha constitutes committee to resettle South Africa returnees

Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has promised to resettle
indigenes of the state who returned from South Africa owing to
xenophobic attacks.

The governor who spoke during a reception organized for the
returnees at the Government House in Owerri, the state capital,
said that his administration was interested in the welfare of the
returnees.

A statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary,
Chibuike Onyeukwu, said that Ihedioha announced a committee headed
by his aide on diaspora matters, Chudi Nwazuruike to map out the
modalities for their resettlement.

The statement said “As part of the state government’s plan to
reintegrate and resettle Imo indigenes who recently returned from
South Africa, as a result of the latest xenophobic attacks, Imo
State Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, has set up an
inter-ministerial committee to map out strategies for their
resettlement.

“Speaking during the reception of the returnees at the
Government House, Owerri, Wednesday, Governor Ihedioha, thanked God
for saving their lives despite the casualties recorded during the
attack.”

“He reminded them that this is a period for soul-searching,
saying, ‘We understand clearly the import of this incident. What
the displacement has given rise to, is that you have to start
afresh, begin to adjust either to start a new life or
otherwise.’

“He noted that a desk has been set up to articulate an
implementable plan that will guarantee a sustainable livelihood for
them.

“He disclosed that the Inter-Ministerial Committee which will be
headed by his Special Adviser on Diaspora Affairs, Prof, Chudi
Uwazuruike shall comprise of the Ministries of Youths; Labour;
Education; Health to be supervised by the Ministry of Gender and
Vulnerable Group Affairs, will work out basically how to help them
resettle.

“The Governor noted that the state is doing its best to link up
with the Federal Government to ensure that special attention is
given to Imo returnees, as the state has fulfilled all the
requirements needed by the Diaspora Commission.”

“While thanking the management of Air Peace for their patriotic
act of bringing home Nigerians at no cost, he commended the
Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Anthony
Obinna for providing succour which has greatly strengthened the
returnees since they arrived the state.”