By Orji Sampson
Following plans by the Imo State government to assist the 97 Citizens of Imo origin that were victims of the xenophobia attacks in South Africa who recently arrived in the State, a committee is to be set up to look into their rehabilitation and reintegration in the State.
Addressing newsmen in her office on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Information and Advocacy, Adaora Onyechere, hinted that State government have been able to engage the returnees one on one through their coordinator to know areas of challenges they need government assistance.
“We have a total number of 97 Imo born returnees from South Africa, we have been able to engage the returnees through their coordinator, and we will set up committees that will look into the issues of reintegration and mainstreaming some of them to the working system”. Onyechere stated
The Imo Governors aide stressed that Ihedioha understands the trauma they experienced in South Africa, however they are working tirelessly to ensure they feel at home, as she said that Imo State is the first State to engage the returnees.
Onyechere, said further disclosed that the victims will undergo a verification exercise to ascertain those from Imo State, and that the SA on Diaspora matters to the Governor, Prof. Chudi Uwazurike, will give an overview of the exercise, when they returnees will meet with Governor Ihedioha.
Also said that a verification exercise will be carried out on the returnees to ascertain who they are, to know if they match the list that given to State government by the Nigerian Diaspora commission, as they will be getting intervention fund, especially those into agricultural skills.
The Senior Special Assistant on Information and Advocacy, recalled that during the 59th Independence Anniversary at Assumpta Catholic Cathedral Owerri last Sunday, Governor Ihedioha, reaffirmed that his administration has two bills aimed at strengthening the Imo State Emergency Management Agency and the Diaspora Affairs that will be sent to the Imo House of Assembly for consideration to deal with emergency situations such as citizens of the State who were victims of xenophobia attacks.
