Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced a comprehensive support package worth ₦41 million for 41 Edo indigenes recently evacuated from South Africa following a wave of xenophobic attacks that forced them to abandon their homes, businesses and livelihoods.
The governor disclosed that each of the 41 returnees would receive an immediate grant of ₦1 million to help them secure accommodation and meet their immediate needs upon returning home. Beyond the financial assistance, he also promised access to soft loans and other government-backed empowerment programmes designed to enable the returnees rebuild their lives and successfully reintegrate into society.
Governor Okpebholo made the announcement on Monday while formally receiving the returnees at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City. The reception served as both a welcome ceremony and an assurance that the state government would stand by its citizens during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
Addressing the returnees, the governor said the financial intervention was intended to ensure that none of them would be left stranded after their return to Nigeria. According to him, the grants would be disbursed within 24 hours, allowing beneficiaries to immediately secure temporary accommodation and begin planning for the next phase of their lives.
He explained that while many of the returnees had lost businesses, property and years of investment in South Africa, the Edo State Government was determined to provide them with opportunities to start afresh.
“Your success begins today,” Governor Okpebholo declared.
He acknowledged that many of the returnees possessed valuable vocational skills, entrepreneurial experience and professional expertise
