Featured Health

COVID-19: U.S. repatriates 997 Americans from Nigeria

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has repatriated  997 Americans  home to be  reunited with  their families and friends during this time of unprecedented challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Claire Pierangelo, the U.S.  Consul General in Nigeria,said in a statement from the consulate on Thursday.

She said that from April 6 to April 8, 2020,  three U.S. Consulate-organised chartered flights operated by Delta Air Lines and Ethiopian Airlines repatriated 850 American citizens from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos to the U.S.

She said  that the figure included  the 147 U.S. citizens who departed Abuja on April 4, 2020.

“These repatriation flights were made possible by the  tremendous efforts of  the U.S. Consulate team and great cooperation from  its Nigerian partners.

“This includes the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Lagos State Government.

“The State Department’s effort to bring Americans home during the COVID-19 pandemic has required a remarkable diplomatic and logistical effort.

“As of April 8, 2020, the Department of State had coordinated the repatriation of 50,339 Americans from 94 countries since Jan. 29, 2020.

“In  times of emergency, the United States’ Department of State has no greater priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. This has been three weeks in the making.

“We have more than 50 people working on this on a daily basis to make sure that we can find the Americans, get the planes, secure flight clearances for the planes to land here and also ensure safe passage of the Americans traveling to the airport since the city is on lockdown.

“It was an enormous effort and I am incredibly proud of my team. We appreciate all the help from our Nigerian partners. We couldn’t have done this without them,” Consul General Claire Pierangelo,  said.

She noted that the  U.S. Mission  would remain committed to working closely with the Government of Nigeria and the various health authorities to keep everyone healthy and safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

She  advised  that U.S. citizens still remaining  in Nigeria  and seeking information on  COVID-19 should  to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Programme at step.state.gov.

She also advised them  to check the U.S. Mission Nigeria website and social media handles for messages and updates

Related posts

No repeat of past mistakes in 2020 marginal oilfield bids – DPR

Meletus EZE 

Forex Intervention: CBN injects $298.71m into retail market

By Abisola THOMPSON

India delays May order for Iran oil, awaits clarity on sanctions waiver – Sources

Editor

NNPC applauds Gov. Wike for facilitating truck-out from PH depot

Meletus EZE 

China-Africa trade hits N4.17trn in seven months

Editor

Sahara Group canvasses investments in emerging markets at Europlace forum in Paris

Editor