DELTA State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Friday, July 31, approved a N2million grant for each affected family and monthly stipends to support the reintegration of returnees of Delta origin from South Africa into the Nigerian society, following the recent xenophobic attacks on perceived illegal immigrants, especially Africans.
Under the package, each individual returnee will receive a monthly welfare stipend of N200, 000, while every affected family will receive N300, 000 monthly, with effective from August this year until the end of the governor’s first tenure on May 29, next year.
Speaking during the reception of the returnees at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Oborevwori, represented by his Chief of Staff, Johnson Erijo, condemned the xenophobic attacks, describing them as a gross violation of human dignity, saying no individual should be subjected to violence, intimidation or discrimination on account of nationality.
While expressing sympathy with the victims over the physical, emotional and financial losses they suffered, the governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt intervention in the safe evacuation of the affected Nigerians from South Africa.
To further cushion the effects of their ordeal, Oborevwori 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 victims and their families.
He urged Deltans to receive the returnees with compassion, solidarity and kindness, saying such values reflected the true Delta spirit, assuring the victims that their experience would not define their future.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for all citizens, calling for sustained protection of the rights and dignity of Nigerians living abroad.
Earlier, Commissioner in charge of the Bureau for Special Duties, Ejiro Etacherure, assured the returnees of the state government’s commitment to helping them rebuild their lives, describing their safe return as a testament to compassionate leadership and effective collaboration between the federal and state governments.
He recalled that the reports of the attacks, which claimed lives, destroyed property and livelihoods and left many victims traumatised, were received with deep shock and sadness.
Etacherure said Oborevwori personally directed that every returning Deltan be properly identified, documented and received with dignity, while relevant agencies were mandated to provide the necessary assistance for their reintegration into society.
Responding on behalf of the returnees, Jacob Agbada, expressed appreciation to Oborevwori for approving grant and monthly stipend, describing the gesture as timely and life-changing.
Agbada expressed their gratitude to the governor for his compassion, generosity and support during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
