By Omoghene Benedict,
In continuation to fight and curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, a Non-Governmental Organization, CODAF and other Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, have distributed hundreds of face masks and cash palliative to the vulnerables, aged and nursing mothers in Ughelli.
Distributing the items and cash during a sensitization campaign on measures to contain the spread of covid-19 pandemic, the Executive Director of Community Development Advocacy Foundation, CODAF, Mr. Benin Richard said, “We are aware of what is happening and the hardship the people are going through and in our little way to contribute and alliviate this hardship, we have to embarked on this sensitization campaign and distribution.
“As an NGO, we are members of the Delta State Covid-19, CSOs Emergency and Intervention group saddled with the responsibility of supervising and monitoring the distribution of palliatives from the federal government.
“While we are yet to receive palliative measures from the government, we came together to sensitize the people that Covid-19 pandemic is real because some of our are yet to believe that Coronavirus is real” Richard stated.
On her part, the Executive Director of Neferok Development Initiative, NEDI, Ayo Nefertiti Okotie said, “Our aim is to partner with the federal government in distributing palliative and because the palliatives are not coming, we thought it wise as a group, came together to distribute this little items and cash to the aged and nursing mothers to cushion the effect of the world deadly disease.
We went to Ughelli Central Motor Park and the response and outcome was encouraging because we never assumed that they would gladly receive the face mask that was distributed. They were clamouring for them and that gives us joy.”
Also, Ibitola Esther Ogechi of the Sisters Against HIV and Cancer Initiative, SACHI, noted that “We are gathered today at Ughelli because of the Covid-19 pandemic and to enlighten them on how to protect themselves and take the necessary measures to contain the spread of the disease.”
In his response, the Chairman of Urban United, Comrade Felix Olokpa, JP, lauded the gesture of the NGO and CSOs for joining hands with the government of Delta state to curtail the spread of the disease at this critical time.
Olokpa said,”We are glad that in collaboration with the Delta State government, this body came together to join hands to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
“You did not come for sensitization alone but with palliatives to the vulnerables, aged and nursing mothers. We are glad because despite all the challenges, our people are being remembered.
“They are all happy because some of them could not afford the face masks they got today because of lack of funds, I and those who are yet to believe that Coronavirus pandemic is real will realize and have a rethink because the disease called Coronavirus is real.”
