Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved a comprehensive welfare package for Deltans evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, including a ₦2 million grant for each affected family and monthly financial support to aid their reintegration.
Under the package, each returnee will receive a monthly welfare stipend of ₦200,000, while every affected family will be paid ₦300,000 monthly from August 2026 until the end of the governor’s first tenure on May 29, 2027.
The governor announced the intervention on Friday during a reception for the returnees at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Johnson Erijo, Oborevwori strongly condemned the xenophobic attacks, describing them as a grave violation of human dignity.
He stressed that no individual should suffer violence, intimidation or discrimination because of their nationality, while expressing sympathy to the victims for the physical, emotional and financial losses they endured.
Governor Oborevwori also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for facilitating the safe evacuation of the affected Nigerians from South Africa through prompt intervention.
As part of the government’s reintegration programme, the governor directed that all returnees receive free medical screening at state-owned health facilities. He also instructed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Services to provide trauma counselling and psychosocial support for the victims and their families.
Calling on Deltans to welcome the returnees with compassion and solidarity, Oborevwori said the unfortunate experience should not define their future. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for citizens and pledged continued support for the welfare and dignity of Deltans at home and abroad.
Earlier, the Commissioner in charge of the Bureau for Special Duties, Hon. Ejiro Etacherure, assured the returnees of the state government’s unwavering commitment to helping them rebuild their lives. He described their safe return as a product of compassionate leadership and effective collaboration between the federal and state governments.
Etacherure recalled that reports of the xenophobic attacks, which claimed lives, destroyed property and livelihoods, and left many victims traumatised, were received with deep concern. He thanked God for preserving the lives of the returnees and praised Governor Oborevwori for his swift response and commitment to their welfare.
According to him, the governor personally directed that every returning Deltan be properly identified, documented and received with dignity, while relevant government agencies were instructed to provide the necessary support to facilitate their smooth reintegration into society.
He encouraged the returnees to take advantage of the state’s economic and empowerment programmes, expressing confidence that Delta State remains a land of opportunities under Governor Oborevwori’s administration.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Jacob Agbada expressed profound appreciation to the governor for the ₦2 million grant and monthly stipends, describing the intervention as timely, compassionate and life-changing.
He said the returnees were deeply grateful for the governor’s generosity and unwavering support during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.
