– Gesture receives commendations from council chairman, residents
Kunle Adelabu
CALEB University, a privately owned tertiary institution located in Imota Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has exploited the relationship between the ‘town’ and ‘gown’ in identifying with the residents of its host community during the current lockdown order by the government aimed at containing the spread of the COVID – 19 in Lagos State.
The institution management on Friday, April 10, 2020, distributed over 3,000 food packs and countless number of loaves of breads produced by the institution to the residents of Imota community.
30 packs of food items were distributed each of the Community Development Associations (CDAs) in Imota LCDA aside the hundreds of bags and loaves of breads distributed to general residents.
Food items such as beans, rice, spaghetti, indomie, macaroni, sachet tomato and bread were distributed to community associations, police and the entire residents.
Three luxurious buses delivered the food items across the community.
It was a great relief as residents and Imota council authority acknowledged and commended the institution’s gesture which was geared towards lessen the impact of the lockdown on the residents , particularly the less privileged and aged people.
Speaking with THE IMPACT, Mr Adeshina Abubakre, Bursar, CALEB University, stated that the gesture was an entension of the institution’s Corporate Social Responsivity (CSR) and an intervention program to provide aid to the people during the ongoing COVID – 19 crisis.
“The distribution of food items is one, part of the institution’s community social responsibility and two, we are also identifying with the people in the community because lots of people are facing hardship because of the shut-down. This gesture is meant to identify with them and provide succor for them and also show that we care for them”, Bursar explained.”
While stating that Coronavirus is a pandemic , Abubakre also charged residents to adhere strictly to the government’s directives on the stipulated measures set to contain the spread of the virus.
“The reality is that COVID – 19 is a pandemic not only in Nigeria but throughout the whole world. My message to the people is that they should obey the instruction of the government by maintaining social distance, stay indoor and maintain high level of hygiene by washing their hands regularly and using sanitizer”, he advised.
The Chairman of Imota LCDA, Hon. Wasiu Adekunle Agoro, who coordinated the movement of buses that distributed the relief materials provided by CALEB University, was full of appreciation to the institution for the intervention.
He stated that the food items provided by the institution were impactful and appreciated by the residents.
“The proprietor of CALEB University, Prince (Dr) Ola Adebogun, has taken the bull by the horn. He has taken it as a responsibility to feed his people. He felt that there is need to identify with his people in terms of cushioning the effect of COVID – 19 lockdown.
“As you can see while going round with us, the distribution exercise started 8.00am and this is around 2.00pm and the exercise is still on. With this gesture, over 3,000 families in Imota have been catered for by CALEB University.
“The gesture has impacted greatly on the people. They expressed their joy while receiving those packages.
“You can see that they are very happy. In actual fact, the residents are not surprised at the gesture because humanitarian act such as this is what Dr Adebogun has been rendering to Imota and entire state.
“He has done a whole lot for the people. So, taken care of the community during COVID – 19 is an expected gesture from him and the people really appreciated him for this”, Agoro stated.
Speaking on the collaboration between the government and CALEB University in containing the spread of the Coronavirus, Hon. Agoro stated that:
“In compliance wth the government’s directive, you can see that this campus is also under lockdown. The students are no more on campus. We only have few officials around that came for the purpose of distributing these relief materials.
“The collaboration between the community and CALEB University had started since the establishment of the school. Since then, the relationship has been moving from strength to strength and that is why you are seeing me here today with members of my cabinet. We are fully in support of what the institution is doing for the community.
“Our relationship has also been a win-win situation.
The Council Chairman also stated that the provision of food items for the residents of Imota was not surprising to the community as the institution has been engaging in developmental activities in the community.
“CALEB University has been a role not only to Imota but also to other establishments and in the state in the area of CSR and community interventions. This is not the first time the institution is doing this kind of thing for the community. Not too long ago, I approached the institution’s management over the renovation of a three-block of classrooms at Methodist Primary School in Imota and the institution heeded my request”, Hon. Agoro revealed.
“The block of classrooms has been abandoned for about four years but if you get to the school now, the building has turned to a new structure which the officials of the school are now making use of”.
Hon Agoro charged other corporate bodies and institutions to emulate CALEB University’s CSR gestures and community intervention.
“I implore other corporate bodies and institutions to copy what CALEB University is doing in this community. I know what they are doing extend beyond this community”.
Speaking with THE IMPACT, chieftains of the community development association also commended the gesture of the institution.
Evangelist J. O Kasali (Baba Akara), Chairman, Odogun CDA, Imota LCDA, thanked CALEB University for the gesture.
“We thank the management of CALEB University for the gesture. We thank them because many things have been distributed before now which did not get to us but with these packages and bread, we really thank them. We pray that there institution will grow from strength to strength.
The Chairman, WAZOBA CDA, Mr Omoniyi Williams, described the food intervention by CALEB University as a good gesture.
“This is a good gesture from the CALEB University. We thank them and wish them well. We are happy that these packages were brought to our door steps and it will go a long way in cushioning the effect of the lockdown. Our people are really appreciative of the gesture”.
Mr Gbenga Akinsanya, Chairman, Ifesowapo CDA, Imota LCDA, was also appreciative of the institution’s gesture.
“We are very grateful for this gesture. We thank Mr Caleb and others that are involved in bringing these packages to us. Thank you”.
