Okpebholo Pledges ₦1m Each To 41 Edo Returnees Fleeing South Africa Attacks

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has pledged ₦41 million in financial assistance to Edo indigenes recently evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks, with each returnee set to receive ₦1 million to aid their resettlement.

The governor made the announcement on Monday while receiving the evacuees at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City.

Okpebholo said the support package is intended to help the returnees secure accommodation and begin rebuilding their lives after their ordeal abroad. He added that the state government would also make soft loans available to those interested in starting businesses.

Addressing the group, the governor assured them that the funds would be disbursed within 24 hours to prevent any of them from being left stranded.

“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.

“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.”

The governor encouraged the returnees to focus on rebuilding their future rather than dwelling on their losses, noting that their safety and survival remained the most important outcome.

“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,” Okpebholo stated.

He also referenced Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, stressing that despite the attacks on Nigerians, there would be no retaliation.

Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Riches Unubun expressed gratitude to both the Edo State Government and the Federal Government for facilitating their evacuation and safe return.

“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,” Unubun said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Lucky Agazuma, commended Governor Okpebholo for extending support to Edo indigenes facing challenges in other African countries.

The returnees were evacuated following recent xenophobic attacks in parts of South Africa, with the state government pledging continued support to ensure their successful reintegration into society.