The Edo State government through Governor Godwin Obaseki ‘Mercy Committee’ says 624 indigent people have been supported with the sum of N400 million over the past seven years across the State.
Secretary to the 5-man Committee Mr Igbogo Ebamiyo disclosed this to newsmen at a Press Conference on Tuesday in Benin City.
He said the indigenous intervention system that was set up at the beginning of his second term in office to overseer request letters of assistance from indigenous persons across the State.
Ebamiyo said the Committee after receiving the requests, carried out an assessment, interface with the applicants, review and thereafter made recommendations on the requests to the Governor for action.
The Committee Secretary explained that the government assistance ranges from health challenges, small scale businesses, households and educational support.
The aid Committee Secretary said applications from Edo South Senatorial District stood at 42.2 per cent, while Edo Central Senatorial District got 28.9 per cent.
He also said Edo North Senatorial District contributed 21 per cent requests, while 5 per cent of the requests,. according to the Committee were received from diaspora.
A breakdown of the support indicates that 128 people got assistance for cancer, liver and heart treatment as well as kidney transplants.
The Committee also rendered financial assistance for small businesses to 287 people while 133 people received support to complete their education
within the same period.
“About six Hundred and Twenty Four persons have be assisted so far with Forty Million Naira only.
“Such assistance falls within health challenges, mini businesses assistance, Education, households, economic strengthening and other.
“Health category being our main focus ranges around cancer related issues, kidney transplant, heart, liver and other serious health challenges.
“About one twenty eight persons have been supported in the last three and half years”.
Mrs Pulley Idiagbo, who suffered chronic ailments, was among the beneficiaries of the government gesture.
“In 2022, I had a cancer of the breast and I removed the seed, but it came back so strong in 2023, being a Junior staff, there was no hope of treatment.
“But someone informed me about the Mercy Committee who assisted me in another surgery even without knowing me. Governor Obaseki has had saved me from death”, the excited cancer survivor said.
Also speaking, a physically-challenged woman, Irabor Iyore Jennifer that got business assistance and Nicolas Imhasoleva who was assisted on health ground, thanked Governor Obaseki for bringing succour their ways when it seems all hopes were lost.
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