Forty-one Edo indigenes evacuated from South Africa, following xenophobic attacks, are to receive N1 million each from the Edo state government as part of measures to help them restart their lives.
Governor Monday Okpebholo announced the N41 million intervention Monday while welcoming the returnees at the Government House, Benin City.
He also stated that the beneficiaries would have access to soft loans to establish businesses and ease their reintegration into society.
The governor said the financial support would be paid within 24 hours to ensure the returnees are not left without accommodation after arriving home.
”There is no place better than home. Between now and tomorrow, each of you will receive N1 million so you will not be stranded. Edo is peaceful, Nigeria is safe, and nobody will drive you away from your home,” he said.
Okpebholo urged the returnees to channel their energy towards rebuilding their future rather than dwelling on the losses they suffered during the attacks, assuring them that the state government would continue to stand by its citizens wherever they may be.
He encouraged them to take advantage of the government’s empowerment programmes, noting that many of them had acquired valuable skills abroad that could be transformed into thriving businesses.
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