Afegbua: Edo Sole State Providing N1M, Business Loans to Returnees
Afegbua: Edo Sole State Providing N1M, Business Loans to Returnees Habiba Sam The Edo State Government has become the first and only state in Nigeria to give direct financial and business support to indigenes evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, during the Ministry’s monthly press briefing in Benin City on Tuesday. Afegbua said Governor Monday Okpebholo personally received the returnees at the Festival Hall, Government House, and announced immediate relief for them. “So far, Edo State is the only state that has received returnees from South Africa with a cash gift of N1 million each and a business proposal to assist them start a new life,” Afegbua stated. He explained that the N1 million was paid within 24 hours to assist with accommodation, while the government will also provide soft loans to help the returnees start businesses and reintegrate into society. Afegbua des...