Kunle Adelabu
As part of its efforts to compliment the Lagos State Government’s Food Relief Program, the Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Thursday, April 9, 2020, distributed packs of food items to 1,500 residents of the council.
The packs, which contained food items such as wheat, semo, macaroni, noddles among others, were distributed to beneficiaries through representatives of identified groups who, according to the chairman of the council, Builder Olusesan Mayoku Daini, are expected to deliver the food packs to those that have been identified within the society.
The brief distribution ceremony, which was held at the Mikksson Onas Event hall in Igbogbo, also witnessed the observation of the necessary precautionary measures directed by the state government to contain the spread of Coronavirus such as social distancing, usage of sanitizer and checking the temperature of those in attendance.
Among about 25 groups that benefitted from the council’s gesture were traditional institution, physically challenged, political parties, religious bodies, artisans, youth groups among others.
Meanwhile, Builder Daini, in an interview with THE IMPACT, stated that the food items were meant for people with physical disabilities, widows and other groups within the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
He stated that the food intervention programme was done across the 57 LGs and LCDAs in the State in support of the effort of the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, adding that the gesture would be a continuous process.
“These packages are meant for the physically challenged people, widows, market association and others. It is meant to support what the federal and state governments have been doing”, the council chairman stated.
“We are aware that it is not easy for people to be kept at home and we are doing this to support the efforts of the state government which has dished out 200, 000 food packs to 200, 000 individuals in the state.
“We are mindful of the fact that we have about 20 million people in the State, so, what we are now doing across the 57 councils in the state is that we are supporting the state government gesture in reaching out to other who could not be captured in the State government’s stimulus arrangement.
“The distribution and allocation of packages is proportionally according to the sizes of the identified groups. It is going to be a continuous exercise”, Builder Daini assured.
“This is not about our party, All Progressives Congress (APC), but about our state and the people. We are equally reaching out to others”.
The council helmsman also pleaded with the residents of the council to continue to adhere with the directives of the federal and state governments in containing COVID –19.
“My word of advice to the residents of our council is to please adhere strictly to the directives of the state government on measures highlighted in containing the deadly virus. They have to ensure that they stay at home, practice social distancing and others”, Daini appealed.
“We need to support the government by adhering to prescribed measures. This is not only about ourselves alone but also about about our country, state and council. Staying at home is staying alive”.
Ahmed Abolaji Quadri, the representative of the physically challenged in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, commended the council for the gesture.
“I give kudos to the council and the state government for giving this to us and for remembering us in their interventions. I will like to encourage them to do more”.
Imam Abdul-Ganiu Gazani, the Imam of Araromi Mosque, the first mosque in Igbogbo, while also commending the council for the gesture, charged residents to strictly observe the stay at home and other directives of the government.
“Alamdullilahi, we thank God. The gesture of the council will be an example for others to emulate. We thank the council authority for the gesture and for remembering the Muslim community and other groups”, he stated.
”We pray that God in His infinite mercy will take care of COVID – 19 and give Nigeria and the entire globe peace.
“The stay at home directive is for our benefit and we want to enjoin our people to adhere strictly with the government directive. The Quran stipulates that we must hear and follow what constituted authority ask us to do”.
He appealed to the government to ensure that people are taken care of during this period of lockdown by providing food items for them.
“But I want to appeal to the government to ensure that they take good care of the people if they want them to stay at home. Though, the directive is for our own good but it’s not an easy one. Government in this case should endeavor to provide for the needs of the people during this lockdown period, especially food items .
“I also charge privileged individuals to come to the aid of the people in their respective areas in support of what the government has been doing”.
