The State Government of Osun has admonished indigenes of the state who were repatriated from Lebanon to look inwards and be determined to live a meaningful life in Nigeria rather than exposing themselves to danger through seeking greener pasture which is most times, a mirage.
The Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Barr. Olubukola Olaboopo stated this today during the welcome and integration workshop organized for the 25 indigenes.
Barr. Olaboopo emphasised that the present administration holds the welfare of her citizens in high esteem, reiterating that the Governor responded quickly and made funds and other logistics available for the repatriation of the stranded indigenes.
She said ''government organized the seminar to absolve, motivate, empower and integrate the returnees knowing that some of them may face stigmatization back home''.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri who was representated by the Osun State Focal Person on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Titi Ajayi- Fadahunsi noted that Nigeria Diaspora Commission is always ready to give Nigerians in Diaspora the best assistance needed whenever the need arises.
According to Mrs. Ajayi the commission has worked relentlessly of late to ensure that the returnees arrived safely and are as well catered for.
She mentioned that the first batch numbering 15 arrived Nigeria on Saturday, September 5th, while the second batch made up of 10 returnees arrived the country from Beirut, the Lebanese capital today.
The Special Adviser on Civic Engagement Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye encouraged people not to desperately look for greener pasture outside the shores of the country, describing such sojourn as dangerous, risky and an advanced slavery.
Hon. Oyintiloye maintained that Government alone cannot do everything needed to make life comfortable for all, adding that with joint efforts of all stakeholders in the Country the society will be better for all to live in.
One of the returnees, Amina Kajogbola commended the Government of the State of Osun and Nigeria Diaspora Commission for their instant response to their distress call.
Kajogbola lamented that life in Lebanon was miserable, but ever since their return to Nigeria the state government has taken full responsibility for their feeding, clothing and general wellness.
While relaying her experience, Kajogbola made it known that life in Lebanon was hell, saying their masters have no regard for blacks and they treated them like animals.
According to her, the work she did was so slavish that she always fell sick, noting that when she called the attention of her masters to non payment of salaries, she taken to be mad and dropped at a psychiatric hospital.
The resource persons spoke on rising above Stigmatization as a returnee, how to stop drug addiction and opportunities for embarking on vocational skill and small scale businesses among others.
Thereafter, monetary gifts were presented to the returnees on behalf of the state government by the Commissioner.
Dignitaries at the reception program includes the State Commander, Mr. Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, Pharm. Omolara Ajayi, Directors in the ministry, the SSA among others.
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