Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has announced a ₦41 million support package for 41 Edo indigenes evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic a.ttacks
The governor said each returnee would receive N1 million to assist with accommodation and resettlement.
Okpebholo made the announcement on Monday while receiving the returnees at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City.
He assured them that the funds would be paid within 24 hours to ensure they were not left stranded.
“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,” he said.
The governor also promised soft loans for those interested in starting businesses, saying the state government was committed to helping them rebuild their lives.
“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.
Okpebholo encouraged the returnees to focus on moving forward, stressing that their lives were more valuable than the property they lost during the attacks.
“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,” he added.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
