COVID-19 Lockdown: Okemesi community distributes palliatives to residents

From Mike Adebayo

Hundreds of Okemesi-Ekiti residents in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti state, have  benefited from palliatives of food items distributed by the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union, FOIU, to cushion the effect of the Covid-19 lockdown.

The FOIU national president, Chief Bayo Ajijola explained that the well-meaning indigenes of Okemesi decided to give back to the society that brought them up.

Addressing the newsmen in Okemesi-Ekiti, Chief Ajijola appreciated the support of the donors, commended the team spirit of the palliative committee for the impressive donations received, and the successful implementation of the first tranche of the food distributed so far.

According to him, “The FOIU deemed it fit to support the efforts of the government to reach out to our people in Okemesi community as part of our social responsibilities to them and being the first of this kind of charity signifies the defeat of Okemesi Parapo against Covid-19 war”.

“On behalf of FOIU, we thank all stakeholders that have applied character, competence, capability and courage to make Okemesi move forward again. The initiation of this laudable project was mooted by some personalities in the community, a gesture that touched almost all compounds in Okemesi and we thanked clubs, groups, Christian and Islamic associations including individuals who made procurement of the items possible.

Chairman of the Okemesi Covid-19 Palliative Committee, Oluomo Kunle Ojo said the guesture was to ensure better welfare for the people of the community at this trying period.

He advised the members of the community to always abide by the safety measures given by the government and relevant stakeholders to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Chief Ojo promised that his team shall remain unrelenting in its drive to put smiles on the faces of the people of the community, especially women and vulnerable children at all times.

Also, the Director General of the Palliative Distribution Committee, Mr Goke Omidiran pointed out that government at all levels and philanthropists need to take the bull by the horns to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.

He appealed to those in authority, corporate organizations and distinguished guests to join in the crusade.

Omidiran, however, charged government to intensify more efforts in community and rural development, such as grading and tiring of roads linking farm settlements, empowering farmers and giving credit facilities to the market women.

Reacting, the chairman home branch of FOIU, Rev. Abiodun Omooba-Iye observed that the effect of Covid-19 on the economy was enormous and that people should prepare on how to cope with the situation.

The clergyman stressed the need for widows not to allow the loss of their husbands weigh them down.

Items distributed in the first tranche included 82 bags of Rice, 40 bags of Beans, 611 congos of Garri and 100 cartons of Noodles.

Some of the beneficiaries that included widows, market women, farmers, artisans, students and members of NURTW and Okada riders described the step taken by the FOIU as first of its kind in the history of the community. 

They appreciated the FOIU leadership and other well-meaning indigenes of Okemesi home and diaspora for the gesture.