The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday, distributed a sum of N35 million to whose property were gutted by fire recently, saying about N100 million was expended by government on such occurrences within a spate of 12 months.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the revelation, on Tuesday, while distributing cheques to the second batch of victims of fire disasters in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.
Mrs Afuye revealed that the government in 2025 expended an aggregate of N150 million to mitigate the sufferings of rainstorm victims across the 16 council areas, saying this humongous expenditure shouldered by Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, attested to how people-centric his government was.
Bemoaning the wanton destruction of property under avoidable circumstances, Mrs Afuye, disclosed that Governor Oyebanji acknowledged the trauma, distress and uncertainty the victims must have suffered in the course of losing their priceless property to devastating fire incidents.
The Deputy Governor urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds and become more alert to ensuring that all proactive and intelligent actions are deployed to avert reoccurrence of these kind of devastating incidents.
“Fire disaster is one of the most devastating occurrences anyone or family can experience. In a matter of minutes, years of hard work, investment and cherished memories can be reduced to ashes.
” We acknowledged the trauma , distress and uncertainty that such incidents bring and we deeply sympathize with every victim affected by these unfortunate events.
“No amount of money you are given that van replace whatever you have lost. But Governor Oyebanji believes this intervention will provide a measure of relief and serve as a motivation for recovery, rebuilding and renewed your hope.
“It would be recalled that similar presentation was made to those who suffered such unfortunate incident in 2025, where over N50m was distributed. It is our expectations that the beneficiaries will judiciously utilize this support to reestablish their livelihoods and regain stability”.
The Deputy Governor appealed to residents to take precautions and embrace safe practices in their homes, markets and work places, assuring that government will continue to fortify emergency response mechanisms and intensify public enlightenment on fire prevention and safety measures.
Underscoring the significance of the programme, the General Manager, State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Oludare Asaolu, said the Oyebanji- led administration has been upping the game in disaster management by signing an Memorandum of Understanding with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency in terms of training and equipment.
Asaolu commended Governor Oyebanji for promptly approving funds to cater for the victims of fire and rainstorm disasters in the state, saying this accounted for why succours were were being frequently provided to palliate the sufferings of those whose property were affected.
The National Emergency Management Agency’s Head of operations in Ekiti and Ondo States, , Dr Kofoworola Soneye, advised SEMA and other stakeholders to shore up campaign programmes that can help the populace in taking proactive actions to checkmate recurrent cases of disasters in the state.
“Disaster management is the responsibility of everybody. Everybody must be involved and if you see something, you must say something. We shouldn’t leave it to government alone and that is why we must make ourselves the ambassadors and propagate the ideal that we should be more careful in handling issues that can spark off disasters at home”.
Lending his voice to issue of safety, the Commissioner for Information, Hon Taiwo Olatunbosun, urged the victims to turn themselves into ambassadors in the aggressive campaign against disasters, saying their roles are pivotal to the government’s success and spirited actions to mitigate occurrences at all costs.
Speaking for the beneficiaries, Mr Idowu Oba, applauded the governor for his timely intervention, urging his colleagues to spend the funds provided wisely and support the Governor Oyebanji to accomplish the task of making Ekiti safe for all citizens.
Other high profile functionaries at the event were: The Special Adviser, Office of Transformation and Delivery, Dr Moyo Ekundayo, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Leke Adefolaju, the Director General, Office of Community Communications, Mrs Mary Oso- Omotoso, Chairman and members of SEMA board, among others.