Benin, July 13, 2026 – Monday Okpebholo, the Edo State Governor on Monday pledged N41 million gift to support the 41 indigenes of the state who were evacuated from South Africa over Xenophobia attacks.
Okpebelo also promised to provide soft loans to each of the returnees to enable them settle down immediately in the state.
The governor announced the support while receiving some of the returnees who paid a visit to him on Monday.
Okpebelo said the one-million-naira suport to each of the returnees would be given immediately, while the soft loans would be granted whenever each of them finds something to do.
“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 advised them to settle down immediately and rebuild their lives as there is no other place like home
“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.
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