•Governor Monday Okpebholo with Edo South Africa returnees at the Government House in Benin city, today
Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has pledged N41 million to support 41 indigenes evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.
The governor said each returnee would receive N1 million within 24 hours to secure accommodation, while the state government would also provide soft loans to help them start businesses and reintegrate into society.
Okpebholo made the announcement today while receiving the returnees at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City.
He said the support was aimed at helping the returnees rebuild their lives after losing their property 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 added, “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 urged the returnees to focus on rebuilding their lives, stressing that their survival was more important than the property 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.
Okpebholo also reflected on the historical ties between Nigeria and South Africa, noting that Nigerians had previously supported South Africans and their businesses, adding that Nigeria would not retaliate despite the attacks.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Riches Unubun thanked the Edo State and federal governments for facilitating their evacuation.
“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.
The Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Lucky Agazuma, commended the governor for supporting Edo indigenes facing hardship in other African countries.
