The Ekiti government has so far donated N100 million to victims of fire outbreaks over the past year, including N35 million to victims of the recent incident.

Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye said this on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while distributing cheques to the second batch of the victims.

Ms Afuye said the government also spent a cumulative N150 million to mitigate the impact of the 2025 rainstorm on victims from the 16 local government areas.

She said Governor Biodun Oyebanji acknowledged the trauma, distress, and uncertainty the victims suffered in the course of losing their priceless property to devastating fires.

The deputy governor urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money and to be more alert so they can deploy proactive, intelligent actions to avert a recurrence of similar devastating incidents.

“It would be recalled that victims of similar unfortunate incidents in 2025 received over N50 million from the state government.

“It is our expectation that the beneficiaries will judiciously utilise this support to re-establish their livelihoods and regain stability,” Ms Afuye said.

She assured the residents that the government would continue to fortify emergency response mechanisms and intensify public enlightenment on fire prevention and safety measures.

Speaking, the general manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Oludare Asaolu, said the Oyebanji-led administration was concluding negotiations to sign an MoU with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency for equipment and training of state fire operatives.

Mr Asaolu thanked the governor for promptly approving funds to support victims of fire and rainstorm disasters in the state.

The head of operations at the National Emergency Management Agency in Ekiti and Ondo, Kofoworola Soneye, advised SEMA and other stakeholders to strengthen their safety campaigns to help the populace take proactive actions to manage emergencies in the state.

Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Idowu Oba thanked the governor for his timely intervention.

(NAN)