The Federal Government says it would arrange a special flight for Nigerians who are willing to be evacuated from Ukraine.
This is coming on the heels of the invasion of the country by Russia on Wednesday night.
Foreign Minister, Geoffery Onyeama, who disclosed government’s evacuation plan on the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, yesterday, said the Federal Government would arrange a special flight for Nigerians who are willing to be evacuated from Ukraine.
He said: “The Nigerian embassy in Kiev has been contacted to arrange those wishing to return home from other areas, including Donestk and Luhansk.”
He also said the Federal Government had been following the development since it started, and promised that everything would be done to ensure that Nigerians, especially students in Ukraine, were safe.Meanwhile, the House of Representatives,has urged the Federal Government to immediately commence the evacuation of Nigerian citizens living in Ukraine.
Consequently, the House directed its Majority Leader, Ado Doguwa and Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Yakub Buba, to liaise with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, National Intelligence Agency, NIA, and Ukrainian embassy to achieve the purpose.
Priority is to be given to Nigerian students in Ukraine.
The House resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved at plenary by Ahmed Munir.
The lawmaker prayed the Committees on Foreign Affairs and diaspora, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to ascertain the exact figure of Nigerians affected by this conflict and put in place a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
In his remarks, the speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, suggested an interface with the ministry, NIA and embassy for immediate evacuation of Nigerians in Ukraine.
Gbajabiamila also suggested that should the meeting fail to take urgent decision, the House should immediately contact the chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, regardless of the cost, to head to Ukraine tomorrow (today) and evacuate the students on Monday.
He said: “This is a very important motion that we discussed. Time is of the essence. A state of emergency has been declared, I listened to the news yesterday , even America said it’s not going to be bloodless.”
Adopting the motion, the speaker mandated the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
