General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Friday, September 25, formally welcomed the first batch of 105 Nigerian out of the 500 who were stranded in South Africa and whose flights were sponsored by church.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The flight from Johannesburg marked the first phase of the church-sponsored repatriation programme, with four additional batches expected to bring back the remaining 400 citizens of the country.
Adeboye, in the welcome message posted on his X handle, said the church will continue to pray for them as the government continues with what remains to ensure they reunite with their families.
He wrote: “Welcome home beloved 105 citizens of Nigeria who have just safely arrived from South Africa. We are grateful to God for helping us make your safe return possible.
“We shall continue to pray for you as the government continues with what remains to ensure you reunite with your families. God bless you all.”
Speaking at the airport reception after their arrival, the Special Adviser to the General Overseer on Special Duties and Chairman of the RCCG Task Force on Repatriation, Pastor Belemina Obunge, said the intervention was authorised by Adeboye.
Obunge said the initiative was driven by the church’s concern for Nigerians required to return home from South Africa.
