The Edo State Government has assured of continuous support and empowerment for returnee migrants in the state, noting that numerous initiatives are ongoing to ensure that they are well catered for and reintegrated into the society. Chairperson, Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT), Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, said this during the disbursement of the yuletide gift items donated by the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to the returnees.
According to Omoregbe,
“We have better plans for the returnees this year. We will continue to cater
for their welfare, and link them to empowerment and job opportunities. We will
also help those with challenges and provide counseling, where necessary.”
She said that the taskforce has commenced the
disbursement of the governor’s yuletide gift items to the returnees which
include five cows, N5 million, and bags of rice. “We are happy that we were
able to fulfill the promise made by the governor to the returnees. The money is
being disbursed to the returnees, while the cows were slaughtered by the
returnees and shared among themselves,” she said. Omorogbe noted that every
returnee who showed up for the exercise would be given the gift items, adding,
“This is an ongoing exercise and for now we cannot say how many people will
benefit because we have over 5,000 returnees in the state.” She added that
sharing of the 20 bags of rice was put on hold as the returnees had requested
to use them to hold a feast.
Some of the returnees who received N6,500 each
commended the state governor for fulfilling his promise to them. Mr. Ambrose
Irene, one of the beneficiaries, said “I thank the governor because he is the
godliest governor I have ever seen. This is the first time I will be benefiting
from such a yuletide gesture from the state government. The governor is a good
man and I wish him a second term.” He assured of judicious use of the money
given him, noting “I am a farmer and also a builder. I will use from this money
to cultivate my farm this planting season and make a profit.”
Source: Vanguard News