Osun Government Receives Indigenes Stranded in Lebanon

On Wednesday the 9th September, the Osun State Government received 15 of its indigenes who were stranded in Lebanon following their migration to the Asian country in search of greener pastures. The affected people, mostly women, arrived in the country on Saturday. The State Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Olaboopo Olubukola, received the repatriated indigenes on behalf of the First Lady of the state, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola.

In August, the process of their repatriation started when the State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, approved the return of the women. At the time, the Diaspora Focal Point Officer, Titi Fadahunsi-Ajayi in an interview with newsmen said: “The girls, identified as indigenes of the State, have been profiled and registered with the Nigerian Embassy in Lebanon.”

Fadahunsi-Ajayi continued: “The Governor has taken note of the plight of some of our girls who are being dehumanized in Lebanon, and has graciously given his approval that the girls be repatriated. Governor Oyetola has also agreed to pay the airfare of the twenty-five concerned girls back to Nigeria, while plans are in place to rehabilitate, empower and reintegrate them back into the society upon their return.”

Around August, the Federal Government of Nigeria similarly rescued 30 Nigerian Nationals from Lebanon. The rescue mission followed a viral video on social media which featured the citizens soliciting for the help of the government in bringing them back home. The Nigerians in Diaspora commission said the 30 citizens would be part of the 150 others trafficked to Lebanon.