Anambra Assembly Raises Alarm Over Citizens Stranded in South Africa, Urges Soludo, Private Sector to Fund Emergency Evacuation

By Our Reporter

The Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo, wealthy individuals, philanthropic organisations, and the organised private sector in the state to urgently intervene in the evacuation of Anambra indigenes stranded in South Africa amid worsening economic hardship, immigration challenges and security concerns.

The resolution followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, and supported by members of the Assembly, highlighting the growing plight of Anambra citizens reportedly trapped in South Africa due to xenophobic attacks, restrictive immigration policies, economic difficulties and other hostile conditions.

Presenting the motion on the floor of the House, Ofodeme said many of the affected individuals had travelled to South Africa in search of better economic opportunities but are now facing severe hardship, insecurity and legal uncertainties.

“Many of our brothers and sisters who left Nigeria in search of greener pastures are today stranded under difficult conditions. Their suffering has become a heavy emotional and financial burden on their families back home,” he said.

The lawmaker stressed that the situation demands urgent humanitarian intervention, urging the state government to coordinate efforts with wealthy Anambra business leaders, captains of industry, diaspora organisations and charitable foundations to facilitate the safe return of those willing to come home.

Invoking the Igbo philosophy of “Onye aghana nwanne ya”—meaning “Let no one abandon their brother”—Ofodeme appealed for collective action to rescue the affected citizens.

“This is a humanitarian responsibility. We must not abandon our people in their time of need,” he added.

Lawmakers who contributed to the debate, including Hon. Anayo Okpalaeke (Aguata Constituency I), Hon. Jude Ngobili (Ihiala Constituency I) and Hon. Fred Ezenwa (Onitsha South Constituency I), unanimously backed the motion, describing it as a timely intervention.

The legislators maintained that the plight of stranded Anambra indigenes transcends politics and should be treated as an urgent humanitarian issue requiring the collaboration of government, the private sector and the Anambra diaspora.

They called on corporate organisations, successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists from the state to partner with the Soludo administration in providing transportation, temporary welfare support and reintegration assistance for returnees.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, commended the Majority Leader for bringing the motion before the Assembly and described the appeal as a demonstration of the state’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens, wherever they may be.

The House subsequently urged Governor Soludo to initiate discussions with relevant federal authorities, the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and critical stakeholders to coordinate the safe evacuation and rehabilitation of affected Anambra indigenes.