Coronavirus: Group Donates Palliatives to Communities in Kogi East

 

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

 

Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty Idawo Michael Ameh Oboni 2 showing his blessings on Palliatives donated by Igala/Bassa Relief and Development Initiative at his Palace in Idah

 

 

A group under the umbrella of Igala/Bassa Relief and Development Initiative (ReDI), has donated palliatives to vulnerable and far flung communities in Igala/Bassa Homeland, Kogi East Senatorial District to press forward, it’s sensitization against the COVID-19 Pandemic in the zone.

Among the items donated include; 5kg bags of rice, face masks and Shields, sanitizers and IR-Thermometers to aid the people to comply with the Covid-19 pandemic preventive protocols.

Flagging off the intervention and distribution of the palliatives by Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty, Idakwo Michael Ameh Oboni ll at his Palace in Idah yesterday, the National Coordinator of Igala/Bassa Relief and Development Initiative, Alhaji Yakubu Abdullahi said the gesture was part of their broad intervention programme to change the deploring and drenching compliance status of the worsening economic and social integrity of the people in times of disasters and pandemics like the COVID-19.

The National Coordinator disclosed that the group in addition to progressively providing palliatives to the homeland, is also involved in the responsive sensitization of the communities and peoples on COVID-19. Part of the group’s activities including providing explanations on the need for social distancing, wearing of face masks and Shields and frequent use of sanitizers as a result of the pervading ignorance in the homeland and communities.

He said the obvious ignorance of the people would create havoc in the future, and must be prevented by all Igala/Bassa sons and daughters.

“As a group, Igala/Bassa ReDI is worried about the low level of awareness on the novel Coronavirus and will not relent in contributing our quota towards enlightenment and cushioning the effect of the disruptions caused by actions against the disease.

“A major essence of our intervention is to complement government’s efforts to keep the pandemic out of the state by touching positively on the lives of the poor and vulnerable with donations and contributions from our brothers, sisters, friends and business networks”, Alhaji Abdullahi explained.

The Attah Igala and President Kogi State Traditional Council, Dr. Idakwo Michael Ameh Oboni ll, while speaking at the flag off ceremony, commended Igala/Bassa ReDI for it’s initiatives to care for the poor and vulnerable in the far flung communities.

His Royal Majesty gave profuse blessings on the group and on the relief materials, ànd advised the group to ensure that the items got to the target persons and communities.

He called on various organizations and spirited individuals to emulate the exemplary gesture of Igala/Bassa ReDI to address the rural needs in the homeland.

The Attah Igala therefore, prayed God to reward the donors of the palliatives abundantly.

Still in Idah the cradle of Igala/Bassa civilization, the group also paid traditional homage to the Achadu Igala “Oko Attah” where the royal father applauded the vision of the group to provide assistance to the poor and vulnerable in the distant communities as well as offering his blessings.

The first phase of the distribution of ReDI palliatives commenced with Akpataega and Ugwuoda communities in Idah and Ibaji local government areas of Kogi state with beneficiaries expressing joy and happiness.

Spokesman of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Egwaba Ochijenu thanked the donors for their help with the assurance to make judicious use of the palliatives and sensitization.

The next phase of the intervention will take the group to other Federal constituencies until all the nine LGAs are covered.

The National Coordinator was supported on the flag off and distribution program by Engr. (Dr) Abubakar Adama (Chairman, Contact and Mobilization), Abdulmajeed Hassan (Head of Secretariat), Comrade Christopher Ukwenya (Vice Chairman, Community Relation), Mr. Yakubu Oyibo (Idah Local Government Coordinator) and other group members from the surrounding LGAs.