FG Move to Evacuate Nigerians in Ukraine Sets Date for Evacuation, Details..

FG Move to Evacuate Nigerians in Ukraine Sets Date for Evacuation, Details.

The Nigerian Government has continued its effort to ensure that Nigerians who are stuck in war-torn Ukraine are evacuated safely.

According to reports, a day has been set when the evacuation of Nigerians will begin.

Nigerians and other residents of Ukraine have been trying to exit Ukraine as the ongoing onslaught by Russians on the country reaches the sixth day.

Getting out of Ukraine has been very tough, especially for Nigerians, according to reports.

READ: Captured Russian Soldier Allegedly Forced Into War Send Emotional Message to Family

Reports have gone viral over the past few days of how Nigerians and people of other races are forced to stay back in the country while Ukrainians are allowed easy pass.

When Evacuation of Nigerians Will Begin According To Nigerian Government

Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, says plans are underway to commence the evacuation of Nigerians from Ukraine on Wednesday.

Onyeama spoke on Monday when he met with Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, at his office in Abuja.

The minister said there are about 8,000 Nigerians in Ukraine and some of them have been received at the Nigerian embassy in Ukraine’s neighbouring nations.

According to him, the Federal Government had earlier scheduled Monday for the evacuation but the date was shifted.

READ: Ukraine War – FG lists more borders for Nigerians fleeing Ukraine

“The latest we heard was that Monday would not be feasible. We have tentatively fixed for Wednesday,” he said.

“Romania is going to be the hub and there are about 1,000 already estimating to pick up from Romania. Then you have Slovakia, about 200; Poland was about 250, and Hungary the same figure. About 150 want to go through Russia, which are our students that we have advised our ambassador to get permit for.

“So, essentially, that’s where we are as at today — moving into that next phase of getting these people. Of course, some of them don’t want to come back to the country, but the point is also that we’ve given a commitment to these transit countries that have given us timelines for the refugees to stay in their countries. So, we also must ensure that within that timeline, they come back.”

READ: Fully Funded Scholarships For International Students, 2022-2023

The minister said the invasion of Ukraine came as a surprise because Russia had earlier said there were no plans of attack.

“President Putin had said they were not going to invade. We were in touch with our ambassador there. I was on the phone with him almost every day and I said to him: ‘should we start evacuating?’ He said ‘no, everything is perfectly calm; life is going on as normal and there’s no need to panic and start evacuating’,” the minister said.

“Days later, I got back to him almost every day and there was a BBC programme where they interviewed Nigerian students.

“The students said everything was normal in Kyiv and other parts and they didn’t even know there was a problem and that it’s when they are on TV they know there might be something in the offing.

“So, that was the situation. Also, the Ukrainian government did not want people to panic. They wanted to show that the situation was normal and they didn’t want people to start leaving. A lot of Nigerians there are students. If they left, they would never be able to come back to carry on their studies, so they stayed.

“The missions of all the countries used to meet there regularly, with the diplomats sharing notes, and there was a consensus that they would just stay, pending when the Russians will be coming in. The Americans evacuated, the British evacuated, but almost nobody else did.”

READ: Russia Ukraine War – Over 137 People Reportedly Killed (Video)

In his remarks, Gbajabiamila said the country must always be ready to evacuate Nigerians in times of emergency.

“I think it is important that we must be in the state of readiness at all times and not be caught flat-footed at all or whatever again,” he said.

“It’s happened too many times. We need to have planes that are on the ready. We need to get all those things ready in case this should happen. We don’t pray that this happens again but we live in a world of conflict, so we need to be ready.”

The speaker asked Ado Doguwa, majority leader of the house, and Yakubu Buba, chairman of the committee on foreign affairs, to work with the ministry on the evacuation.

“These people are our constituents. You need to get your hands dirty as well. Whenever they are going, you need to be involved, irrespective of whatever anybody says out there. This is a collaborative effort; government is about everybody,” he said.

“The foreign ministry will take charge, but you oversight. That’s what our law says. We need to be sure that things are done properly.”

Gbjabiamila added that the ministry can collaborate with Air Peace to ensure the evacuation is done as soon as possible.

“I spoke with the chairman of Air Peace a couple of days ago and he did tell me he is ready and more than able to airlift our citizens,” the speaker said.

“He has about eight planes at his disposal — from 300 to 400-seater planes.

READ: Deaths and damage as Storm Eunice causes havoc in UK

“He basically said he is willing as soon as we are ready. For the house, one day is a day too long in terms of delay.”

256 Nigerians Have Been Received In Romania, Hungary, Poland – FG

The Federal Government has said Nigeria’s diplomatic mission has received 130 Nigerians from Ukraine at Bucharest, Romania in the past 24 hours.

It added that 74 Nigerians were received at Budapest, Hungary and another 52 in Warsaw, Poland.

Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on Thursday, many residents, including Nigerians have been forced to flee to neighbouring countries.

On Sunday, the federal government announced that Nigerians arriving from Ukraine through the borders in Romania and Hungary have been granted visa-free access.

Giving an update on the development, Gabriel Aduda, permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement released on Monday, said another batch of 200 Nigerians are expected in Budapest, Hungarian capital, today.

According to the ministry, Nigerians who have arrived in Poland, Hungary and Romania will be documented for subsequent travel arrangements back to Nigeria.

“In the last 24 hours, officials of the Nigerian Embassy have received 130 Nigerians safely at Bucharest, Romania where they have been provided accommodation and will be documented, while we finalise arrangements to bring them back home,” the statement reads.

“Also, officials at Budapest, Hungary have received and accommodated 74 Nigerians safely, where they are being documented for subsequent travel arrangements back to Nigeria.

“We are expecting another batch of about 200 into the city of Budapest, tomorrow, Monday.

“In Warsaw, Poland we have received 52 Nigerians and 23 are being processed at the Polish Government Reception Point at Hala Kijowska, Milny 90, 37-552 Milny, which is near the border of Korczowa-Krakowiec.

“The camp is well organised with beds and beddings, food, heating, clothing and medicals for evacuees.

“We assure Nigerians that all hands are on deck and arrangements are being put in place to effectively evacuate our citizens, in safety and dignity.”

Airbnb To Provide Free Housing For 100,000 Ukrainian Refugees

Airbnb, a home rental company, has said it is offering free short-term housing to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of their country.

Brian Chesky, Chief Executive Officer of Airbnb, announced this in a series of tweets on Monday.

Chesky said the housing would be funded by the company, donors to an Airbnb fund for refugees, and the generosity of other hosts offering their homes.

“Airbnb and Airbnb.org are working with our Hosts to house up to 100,000 refugees fleeing from Ukraine for free,” his tweet reads.

“We need help to meet this goal. The greatest need we have is for more people who can offer their homes in nearby countries, including Poland, Germany, Hungary and Romania. If you can host a refugee, go here: http://airbnb.org/get-involved.”

Chesky also urged people to donate to Airbnb.org for the housing support programme.

Airbnb.org is the company’s non-profit organisation that facilitates temporary stays for people in times of crisis.

“All stays are free for refugees, funded by Airbnb, Airbnb.org donors and through the generosity of hosts,” he added.

“While we work to finalise these details, refugees and asylum seekers who are in need of immediate support can get help from: http://help.unhcr.org/ukraine.”

A statement from Airbnb also said that its top leaders had “sent letters to leaders across Europe, starting with the leaders of Poland, Germany, Hungary and Romania, offering support in welcoming refugees within their borders”.

“While Airbnb.org is committing to facilitate short-term housing for up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, it will work closely with governments to best support the specific needs in each country, including by providing longer-term stays.”

According to the United Nations, about 500,000 people are now refugees since the invasion of Ukraine began last week.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO TELL US ABOUT NIGERIA? CLICK HERE TO JOIN ESSENCE FORUM AND SHARE YOUR TOPICS WITH OVER 4000 MEMBERS.

WATCH MORE NEWS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE

FG Move to Evacuate Nigerians in Ukraine Sets Date for Evacuation, Details..