By Jethro Ibileke
No fewer than 724 indigent persons in Edo State have benefited from a special grant of ₦400 million at ₦10 million monthly disbursed to them under Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The grant was set up by Obaseki in 2020 and is released to the beneficiaries through Edo State Mercy Committee.
Secretary of the five-man Committee, Mr. Igbogo Ebamiyo Peter, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference in Benin, the State capital.
According to him, 235 indigent persons benefitted from the grant in 2021, 151 persons in 2022, 196 in 2023 and 142 indigent persons so far in 2024.
Statistics shows that 42.7% of applications received and treated are from Edo South Senatorial District; 28.9% from Edo Central Senatorial District, while 21% represented requests from the Edo North Senatorial District. 5% were received from Edo indigenes in the diaspora and 2.4% where from none Edo indigenes within and outside Edo State, age limit not withstanding.
The beneficiaries were assisted under various categories, including health, education and small scale businesses.
Igbogo Ebamiyo said: “Health Category: This category being our core focus, ranges around cancer related issues, kidney transplant, heart, liver and other chronic health challenges. About 128 persons have been supported in the last three and a half years.
“Mini-business: “About 287 mini businesses have been supported with funds to either start or upgrade an already existing one.
“Education: About 131 indigent persons have been assisted with school aids to further or complete their education programs.
“Household Economic Strengthening and others 148 persons have been assisted so far in this regards.”
Some of the beneficiaries commended the humanitarian service initiative of Governor Godwin Obaseki through the Mercy Committee.
