Okpebholo Grants N41m Soft Loans To Edo Returnees Evacuated From S'Africa
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved a total of N41 million as immediate financial support for 41 Edo indigenes evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks, with each returnee to receive N1 million to help them secure accommodation and begin rebuilding their lives.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo,has approved a total of N41 million as immediate financial support for 41 Edo indigenes evacuated fromSouth Africa following xenophobic attacks, with each returnee to receive N1 million to help them secure accommodation and begin rebuilding their lives. Governor Okpebholo made this announcement on Monday while welcoming the returnees at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City. He also disclosed that the state government would provide soft loans to beneficiaries to enable them to establish businesses and successfully reintegrate into society. Addressing the returnees, Governor Okpebholo assured them that the state government was committed to helping them regain stability after the traumatic experience. “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,” Okpebholo said. The Governor further assured them that the financial support would be paid within 24 hours. “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. Okpebholo encouraged the returnees to concentrate on rebuilding their future, stressing that their lives were more valuable than the possessions 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 and ensure they do not go through such experiences again,” he stated. The governor also reflected on the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, noting that despite the recent attacks, Nigerians would not retaliate, recalling the support Nigeria gave South Africa during its struggle against apartheid and the protection Nigerians had continued to extend to South African businesses. Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Riches Unubun expressed appreciation to both the Edo State Government and the Federal Government for facilitating their safe evacuation from South Africa. “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. Earlier, the Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Lucky Agazuma, praised Governor Okpebholo for his continued support for Edo indigenes facing difficulties in other African countries, describing the intervention as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens. Please follow and like us: