On Sunday, May 24, 2020, the Government of Lebanon, and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, have safely repatriated 69 Nigerian citizens that were stranded in Lebanon. This operation would not have been possible without the generous financial sponsorship of the national Lebanese airlines (MEA), the Lebanese Community in Nigeria, and the Lebanese Embassy in Abuja, who jointly helped fund and organize the repatriation, and the 14-day quarantine expenses, of 50 out of the 69 repatriated Nigerian citizens who were stranded in Lebanon, while the other 19 Nigerian workers were sponsored by the IOM.
This relief operation resulted from the extensive cooperation between the Embassy of Lebanon in Abuja and both the Lebanese and Nigerian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, with crucial assistance of other governmental authorities, namely the Lebanese General Security and the Nigerian NCDC. A special thanks goes to the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama who personally oversaw this operation and cleared all the obstacles that could have jeopardized the success of this relief mission. The commitment of both the Lebanese and the Nigerian governments to seeing these Nigerian citizens safely repatriated to their home country is further evidence that the partnership between the two countries is based on the principles of mutual trust and respect for human lives.
Furthermore, it is important to note that without the generous financial contribution made by MEA and the Lebanese community in Nigeria, it would have been impossible to achieve the success recorded today. This contribution complements similar donations that have been made by the Lebanese community in Nigeria at large and in the FCT, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt in particular, in support of the palliative measures taken by the Nigerian government to alleviate the hardship of the vulnerable Nigerian societies affected by the novel Coronavirus pandemic. These donations come as a token of loyalty and appreciation from the Lebanese community to their second country in Nigeria and to their fellow Nigerians who have embraced them as their own.
The Embassy of Lebanon in Abuja together with the Lebanese community in Nigeria take this opportunity to thank His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, and other Governmental agencies for their exceptional efforts in the success of this joint relief mission.