The Osun State Election Violence Relief Committee has begun receiving claims from victims of election-related violence as part of efforts to provide relief to individuals and families affected by the incidents.
The committee made the call after its inaugural meeting on Thursday, August 27, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, the committee said it had already received and collated several complaints but would continue to accept submissions from other affected persons.
Egbedun said the committee had a humanitarian and sensitive responsibility to identify genuine victims, verify their claims and ensure that appropriate relief reached those affected.
He assured victims and the general public that the process would be handled fairly and transparently, stressing that every submission would be carefully assessed.
“Every submission will be carefully considered,” Egbedun said, adding that decisions would be guided by “facts, fairness and compassion”.
The committee specifically appealed to victims who are still receiving treatment in hospitals for injuries sustained during the violence to submit their claims through relatives or authorised representatives.
Egbedun said the committee would liaise with hospitals where necessary to verify the conditions of injured victims and facilitate appropriate medical care.
He also assured victims, their families and healthcare facilities that the Osun State government remained committed to covering the approved cost of treatment for eligible cases.
The committee chairman further commended the Adeleke Dynasty for its intervention aimed at supporting children who lost their parents or benefactors during the election violence.
He disclosed that the dynasty, through the Springtime Development Foundation, had indicated its intention to award scholarships to children whose parents died in the violence.
Egbedun described the proposed scholarship scheme as an important demonstration of compassion towards families affected by the incidents, noting that education could help protect the future of children who had lost their parents.
According to him, the intervention would provide affected children with “hope, dignity and an opportunity to build a brighter future despite their circumstances”.
“As Chairman of the Election Violence Relief Committee, I commend this initiative and assure the Adeleke Dynasty and the Springtime Development Foundation of the Committee’s appreciation and support in ensuring that the gesture reaches the intended beneficiaries transparently and effectively,” he said.
Egbedun reiterated the committee’s determination to ensure that no genuine victim was overlooked, while pledging that the relief process would remain credible, transparent and responsive to the needs of affected persons.
He also thanked members of the committee for accepting the assignment and wished them a successful commencement of their responsibilities.
The inaugural meeting comes as the Osun State Government intensifies efforts to address the humanitarian consequences of recent election-related violence and provide assistance to affected individuals and families.
