The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has welcomed Nigerians recently repatriated from South Africa through the church’s humanitarian intervention.
Adeboye, in a post on X on Friday, said 105 Nigerians had returned safely from South Africa and expressed gratitude to God for their safe journey.
He wrote, “Welcome home beloved 105 citizens of Nigeria who have just safely arrived from South Africa.”
The development followed the arrival of the first group of Nigerians whose flight from Johannesburg to Lagos was funded by the RCCG.
A total of 107 Nigerians were reported to have arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday night.
The returnees constitute the first batch of at least 500 Nigerians expected to be brought back under the humanitarian initiative, which began after an appeal by the Nigerian diplomatic mission in South Africa.
Adeboye said the church would continue to pray for the returnees as government authorities complete the necessary procedures for their reunification with their families.
He added, “We are grateful to God for helping us make your safe return possible. We shall continue to pray for you as the Government continues with what remains to ensure you reunite with your families. God bless you all.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the RCCG Task Force for the Reception of Nigerian Returnees from South Africa, Pastor Belemina Obunge, disclosed that Adeboye authorised the funding of the returnees’ air transportation on humanitarian grounds.
Obunge said the Nigerians had been profiled and documented by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and the South African Home Affairs authorities.
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He clarified that participation in the programme was not restricted to RCCG members, noting that Nigerians from different religious backgrounds were among the beneficiaries.
“They are Muslims, Christians, all religions. And we are intentional in making sure that we have collaborated with the various government agencies,” he said.
Under the arrangement, the RCCG is bearing the cost of flights from Johannesburg to Lagos, while government agencies handle the reception of the returnees and arrangements for their onward movement.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons were among those who received the returnees at the airport, where profiling subsequently began.
Following the exercise, the returnees are expected to proceed to their respective state capitals.
Obunge explained that the repatriation would be conducted in batches due to documentation and clearance procedures that must be completed in South Africa.
He also appealed to Nigerians who remain stranded in the country to contact the Nigerian diplomatic mission for assistance with their documentation.