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Nigeria: 18yrs After, Liberian Refugees Begin Journey Home
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This Day (Lagos)
8 May 2008
Posted to the web 8 May 2008
Chinedu Eze
Lagos
More than 6,000 Liberians who arrived Nigeria as refugees in 1990 following the civil war that started in their country in the late 80s yesterday began their journey home after 18 years in Nigeria .
Nudged by nostalgia and the euphoria of stability in their country since 2006 when a new President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was successfully and democratically elected, the Liberians said that they were eager to go back home since there is now peace in their country.
Their return home was facilitated by the National Commission for Refugees .
However, not all the refugees are willing to go back as some who may not be able to face the uncertainty and the seeming bleak future have chosen to remain in Nigeria.
Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Hajia Kangiwa Sanni, told newsmen at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos (MMIA), that 47 of the Liberians had gone back yesterday with Bellview Airline and that arrangement had been made for the over three thousand left to go back soon.
"This repatriation has been going on since 2005, but it stopped in 2007, now it has kicked off and this is the first batch for the year, the next batch will be leaving in two weeks' time. The return is voluntary, as it involves the confidence on the part of the citizen that their country is safe," she said
She explained that many of the refugees were not happy because of the condition given to them that none would travel with more than 30 kg of luggage, saying that some of the refugees had insisted that they must travel with more luggage because after spending such a long time in Nigeria they had acquired property while in their host country.
"We are appealing to the Bellview management to assist in this humanitarian service, as it is almost impossible for people who are going home after so many years to have luggage as small as 30kilograms, and some of them are going with their children who have not been to Liberia to know their home and people," she said .
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Hajia Sani also noted: "We have a counterpart in Liberia , who is aware of their coming, and will receive and assist them in settling down in their country, the United Nations (UN) will also help in area and provisions will be made to help them continue life after the war which might have made some of them homeless".
Expressing his willingness to go back to his country, a young Liberian, Anthony Jlaka who seemed implicitly excited, told newsmen that he has been in Nigeria for six years and that he was going back home to see his parents.
"I am happy to go home to see my parents after six years, I thank the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for accommodating us, I am going to come back for my university education, I enjoyed my stay inNigeria and I love this country."
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