Some stranded Nigerians who fled Ukraine to Poland have expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its efforts to ensure their safe and successful evacuation to Nigeria.
The evacuees stated this in separate interviews with news reporters on Friday, before departing Warsaw International Airport in Poland.
According to reports, as of 8:15 a.m., the Air Peace Aircraft carrying the 180 evacuees had reached full capacity.
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The evacuees who described their terrifying ordeal while attempting to flee Ukraine thanked the Federal Government and its mission in Poland for all of their efforts.
Ms. Eniola Badejo, a Ukrainian student, praised the government’s efforts but asked for more information and better coordination.
“We thank the Federal Government of Nigeria because it has been extremely exhausting, we have been subjected to a great deal of stress, many of us have traveled all the way, and we have barely slept.” We want them to provide us with more information because we were not given enough.
“I’m just happy to be returning to my family; I’m happy and grateful to be returning to my parents,” Badejo said.
Another student who left Ukraine, Mr. Joseph Chikwado, said that what was most important to him was his successful crossing from Ukraine into Poland despite all the challenges, and that he was looking forward to returning to Nigeria.
“It was a nightmare trying to cross the border from Ukraine into Poland because of the weather.
“It was very bad and very cold, we had a long-distance to travel, no vehicle to transport us to the borders, we arrived late, and we had to find a way to warm ourselves.”
“We are relieved that we are safe now and can return to our country,” Chikwado said.
Ms. Kella Wengwu, a student at Dnipro Medical Institute in Ukraine, said she was fortunate to be on the flight, explaining that the March 3 flight was cancelled, giving her the opportunity to travel.
Wengu explained that she would have missed the flight because she had failed to register with the Nigerian Embassy in Poland upon arrival.
“It was extremely difficult to leave Ukraine.” “I had traveled to the capital for over two weeks after leaving my hometown due to social media warnings about a Russian invasion.” “I don’t know how I got here, I was going to miss this flight because I didn’t go to the Embassy to write my name, I got here and was told the plane was full, so I waited to see if any opportunity arose.”
It’s mixed feelings for me, I‘m not quite happy I’m leaving school, Ukraine is my home now because it’s been great since I arrived. But, at the same time, I am safe; I am returning home to my loved ones, and I am grateful for the opportunity.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Poland, Christian Ugwu, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his prompt intervention and release of funds to bring all Nigerians stranded in Ukraine home.
Ugwu stated that the embassy in Poland was on top of the situation and that the first batch of people being evacuated had been successfully coordinated.
The ambassador, on the other hand, urged all Nigerians who had made it to Poland to prepare to be evacuated home rather than remain in Poland.
“We have been doing our best to persuade the Nigerian students that there is no need for them to remain here in Poland to be a nuisance and that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to make them comfortable.”
That is why they have made arrangements for them to stay in hotels and provided aircraft to transport them back home.
Those who refuse to leave will be doing so at their own risk.
We advise parents to do everything they can to convince their wards and children that they should return when the crisis in Ukraine subsides.
It will be difficult for them to stay in Poland. ”
It is a credit to Nigeria that the President has authorized an urgent flight evacuation for these students, that he has sent funds, and that things are moving in the right direction.
“And the Nigerian students from Ukraine are pleased that they are being well-treated and cared for,” Ugwu said.
