Government Approves ₦2million Grant, Monthly Stipends For Indigenes Who Fled South Africa’s Xen0phobic ∆ttacks
Government Approves ₦2million Grant, Monthly Stipends For Indigenes Who Fled South Africa’s Xenophobic Attacks
The governor while condemning the xenophobic attacks announced the package on Friday during a reception for the returnees in Asaba, saying the attacks were gross violation of human dignity.
The Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved a comprehensive welfare package for Deltans who returned from South Africa following the recent xenophobic attacks, including a ₦2million grant for each affected family and monthly stipends to support their reintegration.
According to Governor Oborevwori, represented by his Chief of Staff, Johnson Erijo, under the package, each individual returnee will receive a monthly welfare stipend of ₦200,000, while every affected family will receive ₦300,000 monthly, effective from August 2026 until the expiration of the governor’s first tenure on May 29, 2027.
The governor while condemning the xenophobic attacks announced the package on Friday during a reception for the returnees in Asaba, saying the attacks were gross violation of human dignity.
In addition to cushion the impact of their ordeal, the governor also announced that the state government would provide free medical screening for all returnees at government-owned health facilities and directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Services to provide trauma counselling and psychosocial support for the victims and their families.
Oborevwori noted that, no individual should be subjected to violence, intimidation, or discrimination because of nationality, and expressed deep sympathy to the victims over the physical, emotional, and financial losses they suffered.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his prompt intervention, which he said facilitated the safe evacuation of the affected Nigerians from South Africa.
The governor called on Deltans to welcome the returnees with compassion, solidarity, and kindness, saying these values reflected the true Delta spirit and assured the victims that their painful experience would not define their future even as he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for all citizens and advocated a sustained protection of the rights, safety, and dignity of Nigerians living abroad.
Earlier, the Commissioner in charge of the Bureau for Special Duties, Ejiro Etacherure, assured the returnees of the state government’s unwavering commitment to helping them rebuild their lives, describing their safe return as a testament to compassionate leadership and effective collaboration between the Federal and Delta State Governments.
He disclosed that the governor personally directed that every returning Deltan be properly identified, documented, and received with dignity, while relevant government agencies were mandated to provide all necessary assistance for their successful reintegration into society.
Responding on behalf of the returnees, a man, Jacob Agbada expressed profound appreciation to Governor Oborevwori for approving the ₦2million grant and monthly stipends, describing the intervention as timely, compassionate, and life-changing.
