Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved a comprehensive support package for indigenes of the state who returned from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, including a ₦2 million grant for each affected family and monthly welfare stipends to aid their reintegration.
The governor announced the intervention on Friday during a reception for the returnees in Asaba, where he strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as a gross violation of human dignity.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Johnson Erijo, Oborevwori disclosed that every returnee would receive a monthly stipend of ₦200,000, while each affected family would be paid ₦300,000 monthly from August 2026 until May 29, 2027, when his first tenure ends.
To further support the victims, the governor directed that all returnees receive free medical screening at government-owned hospitals. He also instructed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Services to provide trauma counselling and psychosocial support for the victims and their families.
Oborevwori expressed sympathy to those affected, acknowledging the physical, emotional, and financial hardships they endured. He stressed that no individual should face violence, intimidation, or discrimination because of their nationality.
The governor also commended President for facilitating the safe evacuation of the affected Nigerians from South Africa.
Calling on Deltans to embrace the returnees with compassion and solidarity, Oborevwori assured them that the painful experience would not define their future. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for citizens and advocated stronger protection of Nigerians living abroad.
Earlier, the Commissioner in charge of the Bureau for Special Duties, Ejiro Etacherure, said the state government remained committed to helping the returnees rebuild their lives. He noted that the governor ordered all returning Deltans to be properly identified, documented, and provided with the necessary support for successful reintegration.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Jacob Agbada expressed appreciation to the governor for the intervention, describing the ₦2 million grant and monthly stipends as timely, compassionate, and life-changing.
