Xenophobic: Okpebholo doles out ₦1m Each To Rescued Edo Returnees From South Africa

…..Says soft loans available for those willing to start businesses

By Bloomshire Nigeria 

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Monday assured Edo indigenes recently rescued from South Africa that the state government would not abandon them, announcing a ₦1 million support package for each returnee as part of efforts to help them rebuild their lives.

The governor gave the assurance when he received the returnees at the Government House in Benin City, saying their return marked the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of their aspirations.

He also disclosed that the state government would provide soft loans for those interested in establishing businesses, insisting that no Edo indigene rescued from distress should be left stranded.

Addressing the returnees, Okpebholo said: "You have not lost anything. Let me tell you, your success begins today.
"If you identify what you want to do, come to us and we will give you a soft loan to start. But for those of you who are ready to reorganise your lives, we will give each of you ₦1 million.

"When we are done here, we will take your details and between now and tomorrow, you will receive the money so that none of you will be stranded."

The governor described Edo as home for every indigene, assuring them that unlike in foreign lands, no one would victimize or reject them.

"There is no place better than home because nobody is going to drive you away from here. This is your home and your government will stand by you," he said.

Okpebholo expressed appreciation to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Umar Musa Ikhilor, for coordinating the government's response to the plight of the returnees and ensuring their safe reception.

"I thank the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Ikhilor, for the work you have been doing for me, particularly on this issue. My brothers and sisters, welcome back home," he said.

Reflecting on the ordeal suffered by the returnees, the governor lamented that although many of them had lost their valuables, they returned with what he described as the most precious gift; life.

"They may have taken your property, but they did not take your lives. For that, we must thank God," he said.

Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the welfare of Edo indigenes, both within and outside Nigeria, pledging that the government would always intervene whenever its citizens faced hardship or danger.

"As a government, we will continue to support our people wherever they are. Whenever they are in distress, we will do everything within our power to rescue them.

"We will also support them to ensure they never have to go through the painful experiences they suffered in the hands of those who exploited them."

The governor said he was saddened by reports that some Edo indigenes reportedly lost their lives during the ordeal, praying for God's comfort for the bereaved families and emotional healing for the survivors.

"I learnt that some of our people lost their lives. My prayer is that God will grant you peace and give you the strength to overcome everything you have passed through," he added.

He urged the returnees to see the intervention as an opportunity to begin afresh, assuring them that the state government would continue to implement programmes aimed at empowering youths, creating economic opportunities and discouraging unsafe migration in search of greener pastures.

The returnees, who expressed gratitude to the governor, thanked the Edo State Government for its swift intervention and pledged to take advantage of the support package to rebuild their lives.

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