ASABA/Nigeria: Delta indigenes evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks will receive financial assistance, healthcare and psychosocial support under a special intervention package approved by the Delta State Government to aid their rehabilitation.
The package provides a ₦2 million grant for each affected family, a ₦200,000 monthly stipend for every returnee, and an additional ₦300,000 monthly support for each affected family from August 2026 until the expiration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s first tenure on May 29, 2027.
Details of the intervention were contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, following the reception of the returnees at Government House, Asaba.
The statement said the state government also approved 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.
Receiving the returnees at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Johnson Erijo, described the xenophobic attacks as unacceptable, saying no individual should be subjected to violence, intimidation or discrimination because of nationality.
He expressed sympathy with the victims over the physical, emotional and financial losses they suffered and assured them that the state government would stand by them as they rebuild their lives.
Oborevwori also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for facilitating the evacuation of the affected Nigerians from South Africa and urged Deltans to welcome the returnees with compassion and solidarity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the welfare of citizens and called for sustained efforts to safeguard the rights and dignity of Nigerians living abroad.
Earlier, the Commissioner in charge of the Bureau for Special Duties, Hon. Ejiro Etacherure, said the intervention reflected the state’s commitment to helping the victims recover from their ordeal and reintegrate into society.
According to him, the reports of the xenophobic attacks, which resulted in deaths, destruction of property and the loss of livelihoods, were received with deep concern, prompting the government to ensure that every returning Deltan was identified, documented and provided with the necessary support.
Etacherure encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of available economic empowerment opportunities in the state as they begin rebuilding their lives
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Jacob Agbada thanked the Delta State Government for the intervention, describing the ₦2 million grant and monthly stipends as timely support that would help affected families recover from the losses they suffered during the attacks.
