Adeleke Releases N500m For Victims Of Election Violence

Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke, has inaugurated a committee to verify victims of election-related violence and released N500 million from the state’s Election Violence Victims Relief Endowment Fund to support affected persons.

Adeleke, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, in Osogbo, said the fund was established to address claims by persons who suffered losses, injuries, displacement and other forms of hardship arising from election-related violence.

The committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, is expected to undertake a transparent and credible verification process to establish genuine claims and ensure that relief reaches deserving victims.

The state government said the initiative demonstrated Adeleke’s commitment to supporting citizens affected by election-related violence.

The committee members include Egbedun as chairman; Mrs Eniola Omotoso; Mr Emmanuel Ologun, representing civil society organisations; Mrs Balkiss Akinleye; Mr Moshood Suleiman of the Ministry of Information; and Mr Moses Faremi of the Ministry of Justice.

Others are Hon. Yemi Lawal; Mr Sola Sonibare, Executive Secretary, Osun Investment Promotion Agency, who will serve as secretary; as well as nominees from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The committee is mandated to receive and verify petitions, claims and supporting evidence submitted by victims.

It will also determine the eligibility of claimants and recommend appropriate relief for verified victims in accordance with guidelines approved by the state government.

The government directed affected persons with genuine claims to cooperate with the committee by providing accurate information and relevant evidence required for the verification process.

It said the committee must ensure that the N500 million relief fund is administered transparently, fairly and strictly for the benefit of verified victims.