Ekiti Approves ₦250m Relief for Fire and Rainstorm Victims
The Ekiti disaster relief programme has received a major boost as the Ekiti State Government releases ₦250 million to support victims of fire outbreaks and rainstorm disasters across the state. The intervention, approved by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, is aimed at providing immediate assistance to residents whose homes, businesses, and means of livelihood were destroyed by natural calamities.
The Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, announced the relief package on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti during the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries. She described the initiative as part of the administration’s commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens and cushioning the impact of unexpected losses.
According to official figures, the ₦250 million relief fund is a cumulative intervention covering multiple disaster responses. A total of ₦100 million has been deployed to support fire victims over the past year, while ₦150 million was specifically allocated to address widespread destruction caused by rainstorms that affected all 16 local government areas in 2025.
In the most recent phase, ₦35 million was released to a second batch of fire victims whose properties were destroyed by recent infernos. This comes on the back of an earlier disbursement of over ₦50 million made last year to affected traders and homeowners. State officials noted that while financial aid cannot fully replace what was lost, it is meant to help victims restart their lives and restore economic stability.
The breakdown of the relief plan includes targeted grants for traders and residents in markets devastated by fire incidents, cash support for victims who lost valuable property, and the supply of building materials such as roofing sheets, planks, nails, and cement to households affected by rainstorms. More than 1,000 residents across the state have already benefited from the initiative.
Unlike past interventions, the Oyebanji administration has introduced direct cash grants to allow beneficiaries address their most urgent personal needs without restrictions. The government said the approach ensures transparency and flexibility while speeding up recovery efforts.
Beyond immediate support, the state is also strengthening its disaster response capacity. The General Manager of the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, Oludare Asaolu, disclosed that the government is finalising a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency to enhance technical training and provide modern firefighting equipment.
Local Emergency Management Committees have also been established in all 16 local government areas to promote community awareness on fire prevention, electrical safety, and environmental protection measures aimed at reducing the impact of future disasters.
While presenting the cheques, the Deputy Governor advised beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly and cautioned residents against unsafe practices such as storing flammable materials in residential areas.
The National Emergency Management Agency has commended the Ekiti State Government for its consistency and transparency in supporting disaster victims, describing the state as one of the most proactive in welfare driven emergency interventions.
With the release of ₦250 million in support, the Ekiti disaster relief programme underscores the government’s resolve to stand by its people during difficult times. For affected families, the intervention represents a crucial step from loss toward recovery and renewed hope.