Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has announced a ₦41 million support package for 41 Edo indigenes evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks.
The governor said each returnee would receive ₦1 million to assist with accommodation and resettlement.
Okpebholo made the announcement on Monday while receiving the evacuees at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City.
He assured the returnees that the funds would be paid within 24 hours to prevent them from being stranded.
“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.
The governor also pledged soft loans to those interested in starting businesses, saying the state government was committed to helping them reintegrate into society.
“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.
Okpebholo encouraged the returnees to focus on rebuilding their lives, stressing that their safety was more valuable than the property they 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,” he added.
BREAKING: Governor Monday Okpebholo gives N1 million to each of the 41 Edo State indigenes evacuated from South Africa to Nigeria following xenophobic attacks, and promises that soft loans would be made available to those interested in starting businesses to rebuild their lives.… pic.twitter.com/Cias7bDOBZ
— Nigerian Affairs Journal (@NigAffairs) July 13, 2026
