Akeredolu also donated over 120 bags of Garri to the victims.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has donated money and foodstuffs to survivors of a recent terrorist attack in the state.
The state government reportedly gave millions of naira to victims of a terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo on June 5, 2022 in which scores of congregants were killed and several others injured. However, it was not disclosed what each of them received.
Akeredolu also donated over 120 bags of Garri to the victims, Nigerian Tribune reports.
SaharaReporters had reported that gunmen suspected to Islamic terrorists invaded the Catholic church on Pentecost Sunday, killing no fewer than 40 congregants and injuring over 120 others.
The attack generated condemnations from within and outside Nigeria, with many people questioning the capacity of the Nigerian security agencies to curb insurgency and terrorism.
Subsequently, individuals and state governments made monetary donations through the state government to the victims and their families.
However, on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Donation Management Committee, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, led other members of the committee to Owo to hand over the items to the victims.
Akinterinwa said the donation was in fulfillment of the promise made by Akeredolu to support the victims of the attack.
Akeredolu had constituted a committee to manage funds donated by individuals and corporate organisations into the Owo Terrorists Attack Relief Fund.
The committee is headed by the state finance commissioner, Akinterinwa as its Chairman. Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Adebunmi Osadahun; Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaiye; Parish Priest of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-law, Owo; Representative of Olowo of Owo, Chief Amos Aladesawe and Mr Kayode Edema as Secretary.
Speaking during the donation, Akinterinwa explained that the committee collated the names and addresses of all the victims, families of the deceased and the injured persons, based on the funds received into the account so far.
He noted that each of the families of the deceased and the injured had been given cash gifts, adding that disbursement would continue once they received more donations.
He said: “This is another series of support the Ondo State Government is giving to the victims. What we have done on this occasion is to collate all the victims, families of the deceased and the injured, based on the funds we have received into the account we opened.
“We felt that it was proper with the approval of the governor to reach out to these families and that is why we are here today.
“We have given each of the families of the deceased and the injured cash gifts and as we receive more funds into the account, we will continue to disburse.
“At the end of the day, we will make public all the funds received, the amount received from home where we were allowed to and it will be transparent and how it was judiciously utilised.
“We want to thank all those who have donated on behalf of the Ondo State Government, we thank them for their immense contribution, as God will continue to bless them.
“Also, to let all the members of the public know that the account is still very much open and we are still expecting and willing to receive donations, it can never be too much and for those who still want to donate, our account will be made available. If you go to our website, you can still make donations.”
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, one of the injured persons commended the state government for the donations.