The Delta State Government has approved a support package for 86 indigenes repatriated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks. Each family will receive a one-off grant of ₦2 million and monthly stipends until the end of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s first tenure.
The announcement was made on Friday at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Johnson Erijo, who represented the governor at a reception for the returnees.
Speaking on behalf of Oborevwori, Erijo said the state would also provide free medical screening for all returnees at government hospitals and trauma counselling through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Services.
He disclosed that individuals among the returnees will get ₦200,000 monthly, while families will receive ₦300,000 monthly starting from August 2026.
According to Erijo, the intervention is to help victims who lost property, businesses and livelihoods during the attacks to rebuild their lives.
Quoting the governor, he said:
“On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, I welcome our brothers and sisters back home.
We watched with dismay the xenophobic attacks targeted at fellow Africans in South Africa. No human being deserves to be beaten, displaced or forced to live in fear because of his nationality.
My heart is heavy with pain for the indignity you endured, yet full of gratitude to God and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose swift intervention ensured your safe repatriation.”
Oborevwori also sympathized with those who suffered injuries and losses, assuring them of the state’s support.
Erijo urged communities to welcome the returnees with compassion.
“That is the true Delta spirit,” he said, adding that the experience should not kill their entrepreneurial drive.
“This painful experience must not kill your entrepreneurial spirit. You left with courage to seek a better life. Let that same resilience help you build a better future here at home,” he added.
He thanked the Federal Government for evacuating the affected Nigerians and called for better protection of the rights and dignity of Nigerians abroad.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Etacherure Terry, said the reception was made possible after the governor approved funds from his contingency vote, following the exhaustion of SEMA’s statutory allocation for the year.
He noted that the governor personally directed that every returning Deltan be identified, documented and supported to restart life in the state.
“We receive you with open arms. You are home now, you are safe, and you are not alone,” he said.
*Returnees React*
One of the returnees, Mr. Jacob Agbada from Isoko North LGA, thanked both the Federal and Delta State governments. He described the experience in South Africa as traumatic and warned Nigerians against migrating there.
“It wasn’t easy. They destroyed people’s shops, cars and businesses. Being a foreigner there is not a good thing. My advice is don’t go to South Africa. We are back home now, and we will help develop our country,” he said.
Another returnee, Mr. Saturday Akanuche, said the government’s support had restored his hope.
“I never expected this. I am overwhelmed and grateful. With this money, I can start life again and open a small business. I had almost lost hope after everything I lost in South Africa, but now I dare to move on,” he said.
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