Agency Report
Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta on Thursday announced a donation of N175 million to 86 indigenes of the state who returned from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks.
Oborevwori made the announcement during a reception and reintegration ceremony for the returnees at Government House, Asaba.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Johnson Erijo, the governor pledged government support to help the returnees recover from the trauma.
He said each returnee would receive N2 million as a resettlement grant, alongside free medical screening in all state-owned health facilities.
The governor also approved monthly stipends of N200,000 for individuals and N300,000 for families from August until May 29, 2027, to cushion their economic hardship.
Oborevwori condemned the attacks, describing violence against fellow Africans as unacceptable, and stressed that no individual should suffer intimidation, displacement or fear because of nationality or place of origin.
“We watched with dismay the xenophobic attacks targeted at fellow Africans in South Africa.
“No human being deserves to be beaten, displaced or live in fear because of their nationality,” he said.
The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the safe evacuation of the affected citizens, describing the swift intervention as timely and reassuring.
He added that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Services had been directed to provide trauma counselling and psychosocial support to aid the returnees’ emotional and social recovery.
Oborevwori urged families, friends and communities to receive the returnees with compassion and solidarity, describing such gestures as the true spirit of Delta people.
“This painful experience must not deter your entrepreneurial spirit.
“You left with courage to seek a better life; let that same resilience and determination help you build a better future,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for residents to thrive, while calling for stronger protection of Nigerians living abroad.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for the Bureau for Special Duties, Mr Terry Etacherure, commended the governor’s gesture.
“We are extremely grateful to the governor for the massive support and the expeditious action taken to ensure this ceremony holds.
“We receive the returnees with open arms and grateful hearts, thankful to God that your lives were spared and to the Federal Government for the timely evacuation,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the returnees, Mr Jacob Agbada thanked the state government for the intervention.
He pledged that the beneficiaries would utilise the funds judiciously to rebuild their lives in the state.