Besides NGOs and Foundations that continue to reach out to to the people of kogi state, to cushion the effect of COVID-19 in the state, some well-to-do citizens of the state are also not lacking in such timely gesture.
The latest being the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory,(FCT), Hajiya Ramatu Tijani Aliyu who donated 2,000 bags of 5kg rice to the five Local Government Areas in Okun Land, otherwise known as Kogi West Senatorial district.
Through her Ramatu Tijani Aliyu Palliative For Okun Land iniative, the Minister also donated 60 bags of 50kg rice to Okun Area Traditional Council.
Speaking at the inauguration of the distribution, the Coordinator, Ramatu Tijani Aliyu Palliative (RTA) for Okun Land, Mr Dapo Olutekunbi said the donation was part of the philanthropic gesture of the Minister to reach out to the people of Okun land “at this critical period.”
Olutekunbi, who noted that the bags of rice were meant for the poor and vulnerable who could not afford three square meal, charged RTA Palliative Coordinators at the ward level to ensure that the items get to the target people.
“Our Amazon, Hajiya Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, the Minister of State for FCT has asked me to give this rice as palliative to cushion the effect of the hunger caused as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic currently ravaging Nigeria,“ he stated.
The Minister,in her good will message delivered at the occasion by Olutrkunbi, advised the people to obey all the health protocols put in place by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC to check the spread of Coronavirus.
The Minister,who said she felt the pains of the people of district at a time like this, hence the donation of the rice promised not to let Kogi State and Nigeria down in the discharge of her duty.
At the Palace of the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi described the minister’s gesture as a thing of joy, saying that the palliative would reduce the impact of the sit-at-home directive due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni, while receiving the Palliative team at his Palace in Iyara, expressed gratitude to the Minister for identifying with the people at this difficult time.
Oba Ayeni,who prayed God to reward Aliyu abundantly, urged other well-to-do individuals, especially in the state, to emulate her.
Meanwhile, kogi state has not recorded any case of Coronavirus since the pandemic disease broke out in Wuhan, China, December last.
Duaglobalnews reports that the novel disease has spread to 34 states of the federation and the FCT with more than 5,000 cases and we’ll over—-NCDC 100 deaths.
