By Juliet Umeh

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, has called for national support for 258 Nigerians recently returned from South Africa, urging citizens, corporate organisations, state governments, faith-based institutions and development partners to support their reintegration.

In a Democracy Day statement, Doro said the returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a chartered Air Peace flight facilitated by the Federal Government to ensure their safe and dignified return.

He said Democracy Day should go beyond celebration to reflect on national values of compassion, unity and shared responsibility.

“One of the greatest expressions of democracy is our ability to care for one another. A society is ultimately judged not only by the strength of its institutions, but by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens and those facing difficult circumstances,” he said.

“As we celebrate our democratic journey, we must also recommit ourselves to the values of empathy, unity and shared responsibility that make national progress possible.”

Doro, who joined other officials in receiving the returnees, said government intervention alone was not enough for successful reintegration.

“The government cannot do it alone. We welcome the support of the private sector, development organisations, philanthropic institutions, state governments and citizens who are willing to partner in restoring dignity, rebuilding lives and creating opportunities for our people,” he said.

He noted that many of the returnees had faced difficult experiences abroad, adding that reintegration must be handled with empathy and coordinated support.

“Many of these Nigerians have endured difficult experiences and an abrupt disruption of their lives and livelihoods. As they return home, our collective responsibility is to help them recover, reintegrate and rediscover hope,” he said.

The minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad, saying the evacuation reflected humane leadership.

He said the return marked the beginning of a structured reintegration process involving screening, profiling and documentation, alongside humanitarian and economic support interventions.

According to him, most of the returnees migrated for socioeconomic reasons, highlighting the need for job creation, skills development and stronger social protection systems.

“The experiences of these returnees remind us of the importance of creating opportunities at home while strengthening systems that protect vulnerable populations and support sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

Doro also urged families, communities, faith-based organisations and civil society groups to support the reintegration process.

He commended the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and other agencies including NiDCOM, NEMA, FAAN, NIS, Port Health Services and Air Peace for their roles in ensuring a smooth return process.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening reintegration systems under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“As we welcome our brothers and sisters home, we must remain focused on restoring dignity, rebuilding lives and ensuring that every Nigerian has access to opportunities that enable them to thrive,” he said.

“Nation-building is a shared responsibility.”