As a display of compassion and a window of opportunity to regain their losses, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has distributed a staggering sum of N50 million to victims of fire disaster in the state.
The governor said the action further accentuated how committed and steadfast his administration was to the plights of Ekiti residents and the desire of his government to be inclusive to rid Ekiti of exclusion and neglect.
Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, while distributing cheques to another set of victims of fire disaster in the state.
Oyebanji noted that what the government was offering might not be suffice to cover all the losses, but emphasized that the gesture would help in mitigating the sufferings of the victims and give the needed respite.
The governor appealed to well meaning indigenes to always exhibit solidarity and empathies toward those who suffered any disaster, while advising the residents to take precaution by taking proactive steps to reduce disasters in the facets of fire, rainstorm and flooding.
To underscore how passionate the government was, Oyebanji stated that victims of rainstorm in 2024 received millions of Naira as grants, and that same gesture would be demonstrated to those whose buildings were blown off recently in the state.
“It is not common to get this kind of assistance. This is the fifth assistance we will be giving to victims of fire disaster since 2022 that we came on board.
“You will recall that the state had witnessed rainstorm, flooding , thunderstorm and fire disaster. The Biodun Oyebanji’s administration has demonstrated sincerity of purpose and has not abandoned the victims by ensuring that he attended to them and gave them help.
“We are aware that the pains have been so much for our people , we know that whatever we have provided may not be enough to guarantee full recovery from the losses. We are grateful to God that the inferno did not claim lives.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to everyone affected. The government recognizes your struggles and we assure you that you are not alone. We understand that rebuilding is not just about structures, it is about restoring lives , dignity and the dreams that were disrupted”.
In his submission, the General Manager, Ekiti State State Emergency Management Agency (EKSEMA), Mr Oludare Asaolu, said the state government shared the pains of the victims and that the actions being taken were to mitigate their sufferings.
To bolster the strength of the state in fire disaster management, Asaolu said government had retooled the state Fire Service offices across the three senatorial districts with proficient personnel and tools for effective service delivery.
“This government is emphatic and prioritising the welfare of the people despite the paucity of funds. And the fortification of our fire fighting offices have helped to reduce the level of damage and reduce the number of casualties during fire incident”.
The National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), represented by Mrs Foluso Adetimehin, applauded Governor Oyebanji for displaying support for the victims, pledging the backing of the federal government to Ekiti to overcome disaster challenges.
The beneficiaries, represented by Messrs Dada Oluwasiji and Joseph Chinedu, showered encomiums on the government for the philanthropic gesture, pledging that the victims would continually support the government to succeed in the execution of its programmes, policies and projects.
The occasion was attended by a member of the House of Assembly, Hon Kareem Akunbiade, Chairman, Board of EKSEMA, Alhaji Ademola Bello, Special Adviser, Office of Transformation and Delivery, Dr. Moyo Ekundayo, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Abayomi Opeyemi, among others.