Chief Charles Mba, Associates Facilitate Return of 200 Nigerians From South Africa

|By Jude Eze, Abuja

Chief (Dr.) Charles Mba, popularly known as Egbeigwe N’Orba, and his friends and associates have facilitated the return of 200 Nigerians stranded in South Africa amid concerns over xenophobic attacks and worsening conditions.

The returnees, predominantly women and children, were reportedly among Nigerians facing difficult circumstances and uncertainty in the southern African country, with many unable to return home safely.

Mba and his associates mobilised resources to support the evacuation, providing assistance to the affected Nigerians and highlighting the role private citizens can play in responding to humanitarian emergencies.

Speaking after receiving the returnees at the airport, Mba said the intervention would continue, stressing that more Nigerians still stranded in South Africa needed assistance.

“We look forward to bringing back more of them still in South Africa. The Federal Government has sent five aircraft so far on this mission, but more are still willing to come back.

“Any patriotic Nigerian willing to assist can still join us in this humanitarian mission, as we can’t leave everything for government,” he said.

Mba’s appeal underscored the need for collaboration among government, private citizens, corporate organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to protect citizens caught in crisis situations abroad.

Humanitarian interventions

The latest intervention is consistent with Mba’s philanthropic activities, particularly through the Chief Charly Mba Foundation, which has undertaken initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians.

The interventions have included providing food and empowerment support to people facing hardship, assisting indigent students with educational opportunities, and supporting widows and other vulnerable members of society.

Through the initiatives, Mba has continued to deploy personal resources towards humanitarian causes and community development.

From Orba to national engagements

Mba, an indigene of Orba in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, is also a traditional and political stakeholder whose engagements extend from the grassroots to the state and national levels.

Beyond philanthropy and public engagement, his business interests have included housing and engineering projects through companies associated with him, including CDV Properties Ltd. and 34V Engineering Ltd.

The companies have participated in housing and engineering projects aimed at supporting infrastructure development and addressing accommodation needs in urban and rural communities.

The evacuation of the 200 Nigerians from South Africa has consequently added another dimension to Mba’s public profile, which combines business activities with humanitarian interventions.

Call for collective responsibility

The intervention has also renewed attention on the responsibility of Nigerians to assist fellow citizens facing difficult circumstances outside the country.

While government remains central to the protection and evacuation of Nigerians in distress abroad, the initiative demonstrated the potential impact of coordinated private support in addressing urgent humanitarian needs.

With reports of more Nigerians seeking assistance to leave areas affected by xenophobic tensions, the call for patriotic individuals and organisations to support further evacuation efforts remains pertinent.

For the 200 returnees, the intervention has provided a safe passage home after a period of uncertainty and fear.

Mba and his associates, according to the organisers, remain committed to supporting further evacuation efforts, reinforcing the view that humanitarian responsibility is a shared obligation between government and citizens with the capacity to assist others in distress.

Chief Charles Mba, Associates Facilitate Return of 200 Nigerians From South Africa