Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged indigenes of the state evacuated from South Africa to turn their ordeal into opportunities, assuring them of government support to rebuild their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.
Governor Aiyedatiwa spoke at the official welcoming and empowerment programme for the returnees held at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the Governor's Office in Akure.
He said despite the circumstances that forced them to leave South Africa, the returnees had come back with skills, knowledge and international exposure that could be deployed to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the state’s economy.
The governor urged them to look beyond their experiences, identify needs within their communities, develop their skills and engage in legitimate enterprises.
He added that their profiles and biodata would be collected, while forms would be sent through the Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations to facilitate the settlement process.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, Otunba Wale Akinlosotu, said the state welcome the returnees and reaffirm that Ondo remains home to its people, irrespective of how far they travelled.
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