One of the Nigerians recently evacuated from South Africa, Ifeanyi Umeh, has shared details of his experience abroad, revealing that he left his wife and daughter behind as he returned to Nigeria to begin rebuilding his life.
Umeh spoke with PUNCH correspondent after arriving in Nigeria as part of the Federal Government’s latest evacuation exercise, which brought back 305 Nigerians from South Africa on Wednesday following a wave of xenophobic attacks.
According to him, he travelled to South Africa in 2014 with the hope of building a career in music but eventually switched professions and established a barbing salon.
“I went to South Africa in 2014 as a musician but ended up becoming a barber,” he said.
Reflecting on life in the country, Umeh described xenophobic attacks as a long-standing reality for many African migrants, saying foreign nationals had learned to live with discrimination over the years.
“Xenophobic attacks are something we are used to in South Africa. They always show people one way or the other. Even the children are used to it. But now it’s not like before. It has become really bad,” he explained.
Despite returning to Nigeria alone, the Anambra State indigene said he had no regrets about leaving his wife and daughter in South Africa for the time being.
He disclosed that his plan is for his daughter to relocate to Nigeria when she turns 16, while he settles down and rebuilds his life.
“I left my daughter and wife behind in South Africa, and I don’t have a problem leaving them there. I want my daughter to join me when she turns 16,” he said.
Umeh also commended the Nigerian government for the support extended to citizens affected by the xenophobic violence, saying the authorities had shown concern for their welfare throughout the evacuation process.
His remarks come as the Federal Government continues efforts to evacuate Nigerians willing to return home following the recent wave of attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa. Several returnees have expressed hopes of starting afresh and contributing to Nigeria’s development after years of living abroad…See_More
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