Oyo State government on Wednesday received 32 indigenes of the state who returned back to South Africa following the xenophobic attack on foreigners in the country.
A monetary gift of N30,000 was given to each of the returnees to cater to their immediate needs alongside a promise to resettle and reintegrate them into society.
The returnees which include 30 adults and two minors were received at the office of the Head Service, Agodi Secretariat in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
Deputy governor of the state, Rauf Olaniyan, while receiving the returnees said a need assessment exercise and proper profiling for each of the returnees from South Africa would be carried out with the help of relevant agencies to ensure they are appropriately empowered.
Olaniyan assured the returnees that the Oyo State Government is set to empower them after proper profiling and need-assessment survey is carried out.
While the monetary gift, the deputy governor advised the returnees to be creative by identifying and tapping into the various investment and job opportunities in the state.
He also pointed to the various funding opportunities by the Bank of Industry (BOI), urging them to come up with business proposals to further their areas of specialization.
Director of Media, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Abdulrahman Balogun, who led the delegation said the Federal Government is committed to taking care of all Nigerians irrespective of where they were across the world noting that government would now embark on reorientation, reintegration, and empowerment of the returnees.
One of the returnees, Mr Lawal Bolatito said he is ready to begin work as soon as possible especially in the field of agriculture.
