Another batch of 27 stranded Nigerian girls have been evacuated from Lebanon by the Federal Government in collaboration with the Lebanese Government and its community in Nigeria.
The girls arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday.
Receiving the returnees, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ferdinand Nwonye, representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, noted that the evacuation was in fulfillment of the Nigerian government’s promise to ensure no Nigerian was left stranded in Lebanon.
Nwonye described as unfortunate, the experience the girls passed through in Lebanon.
“I am here on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs who facilitated this return, together with the Ministry of Aviation, Embassy of Nigeria in Beirut, the Lebanese Embassy in Nigeria and the Lebanese community in Nigeria.
“These are the individuals and institutions that made it possible for you to be here today.
“It is unfortunate the situation you passed through; which is why the Ministries concerned made sure you are here today and we are telling you that you are now home today and nothing will happen to you.
“Make sure you follow the protocols they advised you on; you know what to do to recover your passports again.
“You are welcome back home and I wish you journey mercies to your various destinations,’’ Nwonye said.
Nwoye assured that the stranded girls were evacuated in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines on COVID-19 evacuations.
He said they tested negative for COVID-19 before embarking on the journey and would be allowed to go home after 14 days self-isolation, in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines for COVID-19 evacuations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, explained that their passports were retrieved from them upon arrival and they are expected to collect them back with proof of COVID-19 tests which they are expected to take again once they complete their 14-day self-isolation.
Also speaking, Mr. Philip Webbe, a representative of the Silver Wings Group in Nigeria, reiterated that indeed no Nigerian would be left stranded in Lebanon.
His words: “We are the company, silver wings that brought the Chartered flight to Nigeria.
“We are evacuating stranded Nigerian girls that are in Lebanon. These girls had nobody to assist them to bring them back to Nigeria.
“The Lebanese Community is assisting them with the help of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Aviation, the Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Lebanon, and they have put great efforts to bring them back.
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“We had 27 girls that came on this flight and just like we promised last time, we will not leave any stranded Nigerian girl in Lebanon.
“On this flight, Mr. Fassai Khalid supported 20 girls to come and there were another seven girls facilitated by the Lebanese community.
“They all came today and they are finishing the process. Some came yesterday, some will come tomorrow, we won’t leave anyone of them behind.”
The returnees expressed gratitude to all those who facilitated their return to Nigeria.
