A socio-political group, the Abia League of Professionals Initiatives (ALPI), said it has facilitated the passage of some Nigerians stranded in Ukraine amid the ongoing attacks.
According to the group, it was able to facilitate the passage of the students through some of its members in the disapora.
Some media reports had claimed up to 8,000 Nigerian students have been caught in the crossfire between RussiaandUkraine. The Nigerian Government had asked its citizens to find their way to neighbouring countries for possible evacuation, saying it’s difficult to evacuate citizens stranded in the country as the Ukraine’s airspace has been shut.
Meanwhile, the ALPI, said it contacted its members in the diaspora to wade in and facilitated the passage of some Nigerians from Ukraine to neighbouring countries as Romania and Poland.
This was contained in a statement issued by Mr Sonny Iroche, Director-General of ALPI.
In his words: “We wish to use this opportunity to appreciate and commend the special intervention efforts facilitated by some of our able members, with contacts in the neighboring countries of Poland and Romania, in the current face off between Russia and Ukraine. Pastor Agu Irukwu, the Senior Pastor-in-Charge at Jesus House for All Nations , RCCG. London, who is also a member of ALPI, took the initiative to contact his colleague, Pastor Moyo, of RCCG in Romania to assist as much as possible with the ease of passage of Nigerians across from Ukrainian to Romania, in their desperate attempt to cross over into Romania.
“Pastor Irukwu then contacted Pastor Moyo in Romania , who volunteered his contacts, to be shared with all the Nigerians stranded in Ukraine. Reports reaching us, confirmed the safe passage of some of the stranded Nigerians from Ukraine into the safety of Romania. The very spirited and patriotic efforts of Pastor Irukwu is greatly appreciated and commendable.
“In the same vain, another member of ALPI, Mazi Godson Azu, who is President of Abians in The Diaspora Association UK&Eire, and also the Welfare Officer of Nigerians In The Diaspora Organisation Europe, the umbrella organ of all Nigerians living in Europe, has been able to assist with contact details of NIDOE leaders in Poland for our members and Nigerians to contact the officials of NIDOE. Mazi Azu is also making efforts to provide support contacts in Romania for anyone whose relations are facing challenges in Romania.
“We salute and indeed commend the role played by our concerned members in the diaspora, who are collectively collaborating with the government officials to ease the challenges being faced by Nigerians that are caught up in the crisis. That is the Nigerian spirit that our country needs at this turbulent time.”
