Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has announced a N41 million support package for 41 Edo indigenes evacuated from South Africa after they were affected by recent xenophobic attacks.
Under the intervention, each returnee will receive N1 million within 24 hours to secure accommodation, while the state government will also provide soft loans to enable them establish businesses and reintegrate into society.
The Punch reported that Okpebholo disclosed this on Monday while welcoming the returnees at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City.
According to the governor, the financial assistance is intended to help the victims rebuild their lives after losing their belongings during the attacks.
“Your success begins today. Many of you possess knowledge and skills in different areas. Once you identify what you want to do, come to us. We will give you a soft loan to start with because we want you to fully reintegrate into society,” he said.
He further assured the returnees that the funds would be disbursed immediately to prevent them from facing hardship upon their arrival.
“Between now and tomorrow, you will receive that money, so you will not be stranded. There is no place better than home. Nobody will chase you away from here. We have peace here. Edo is safe, and Nigeria is safe.”
Okpebholo encouraged them to look ahead and rebuild their future, stressing that preserving their lives was far more important than the valuables they had lost.
“They may have taken everything away from you, but your life is more important than the things they took. As a government, we will continue to support our people wherever they are. If they are in distress, we will rescue them and ensure they do not go through such experiences again,” he said.
The governor also recalled Nigeria’s long-standing relationship with South Africa, noting that Nigerians had once stood by South Africans and supported their businesses, while emphasising that Nigeria would not seek retaliation despite the attacks.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Riches Unubun expressed appreciation to both the Edo State and Federal Governments for ensuring their safe evacuation from South Africa.
“When we leave here, we have the civic responsibility to appreciate what the Edo State Government has done for us. Let them take us to where we can register and collect our voter cards because we want these great things happening in Edo to continue,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Lucky Agazuma, praised the governor for extending assistance to Edo citizens facing difficulties in other African countries.
