Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved financial assistance for indigenes of the state who recently returned from South Africa due to xenophobic violence.According to reports, each Abia citizen who came back home following the attacks will receive ₦1 million in support from the state government.
The gesture is aimed at helping them resettle and restart their lives.The returnees left South Africa after a fresh wave of xenophobic incidents targeting foreign nationals. Many of them reportedly lost businesses and property, and had to abandon their livelihoods to return to Nigeria.
Gov. Otti said the support package reflects the government’s commitment to the welfare of Abians wherever they are. He added that the state will also work to provide additional reintegration support, including business and skills opportunities.
The announcement has drawn praise from community leaders, who described it as a timely intervention to cushion the hardship faced by the returnees. Government officials are expected to begin the verification and disbursement process in the coming days.
