Kingsley Ohens reporting
The Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR) has commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for approving a ₦1 million support package for each of the 41 Edo indigenes recently evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks in Pretoria and Johannesburg.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Solomon Okoduwa, the organisation described the Governor’s intervention as a demonstration of compassionate leadership and a practical model for migration reintegration and human dignity.
IYAMIDR recalled that on May 4, 2026, it had called on the Federal Government and state governments to prepare for the safe reception and structured reintegration of Nigerians returning from South Africa, stressing that displaced citizens required immediate support to rebuild their lives.
According to the organisation, Governor Okpebholo’s decision to provide ₦1 million to each returnee for accommodation, alongside a pledge to facilitate access to soft loans for business start-ups, reflects the kind of proactive leadership needed to address the challenges faced by returning migrants.
The group noted that the returnees narrated the destruction of their businesses, vehicles and other means of livelihood during the attacks, while expressing gratitude to the Governor for the support extended to them. It added that the Governor reassured the returnees that Edo State remains a safe home and encouraged them to embrace the opportunity for a fresh beginning.
Describing the intervention as “governance with a human face,” IYAMIDR said the financial assistance would provide immediate relief for resettlement, while the proposed livelihood support would help beneficiaries regain economic stability and self-reliance.
The organisation also praised Governor Okpebholo’s broader leadership on security, noting that his administration’s efforts to combat cultism and kidnapping have strengthened public confidence and positioned Edo State as a reference point for innovative security initiatives.
IYAMIDR further stated that the Governor’s response has drawn attention to Edo State’s commitment to responsible migration management and the protection of vulnerable citizens, adding that such actions are earning recognition beyond Nigeria.
The organisation urged the Federal Government and other state governments to adopt similar reintegration frameworks by establishing dedicated state-level reintegration desks, providing emergency relief and livelihood support for returnees, and strengthening collaboration with relevant agencies and civil society organisations to ensure sustainable reintegration.
Reaffirming its commitment to migration awareness and reintegration programmes, IYAMIDR pledged to continue working with the Edo State Government, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders to promote safe migration, provide psychosocial support and facilitate the successful reintegration of returnees.
The statement concluded by expressing appreciation to Governor Okpebholo for what it described as his empathy, humility and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Edo people during a difficult period.
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