As the world is currently going through turmoil widely known as the Coronavirus pandemic. Countries all around the world are taking necessary steps to combat this virus which has affected and taken thousands of lives.
In Abia state as part of measures to checkmate the pandemic from coming in, the government had locked down the borders and ordered citizens to remain in their homes and avoid social gatherings while offices and businesses have been shut down.
To ensure that their people do not stay hungry while at home, illustrious sons and daughters of Amafor Village in Ohuhu Umuahia North LGA, decided to step up by donating food items worth about 3.7 million naira to the poor and the vulnerable class in the 4 families that made up Amafor.
The News Gazette Online reports that the materials donated include 100 cartons of noodles, 600 tubers of yam, 16 bags of beans, 10 bags of garri and 60 bags of rice.
Presenting the items Hon. Ugochukwu Ezeocha a member of the Amafor Covid-19 committee explained that it was due to the passion and love they have for each other and to ensure the well-being of the less privileged in Amafor that the illustrious sons and daughters of Amafor both at home and in diaspora decided to put funds together in order to cushion the harsh effects of the lockdown on the people at home and advised that the food should be shared amongst the 4 families in Amafor, he also announced that the covid-19 committee will follow up on the distribution and sharing of the items in order to ensure that the less privileged and vulnerable benefits, he preached the gospel of social distancing and personal protection and told the people to please adhere to governments directives to remain safe.
Also Speaking Mr. Nnaji Obed Asiegbu SSA to the Abia State Governor and initiator of the program said it was due to the love we have for one another and in the spirit of unity and togetherness that Amafor is known for that pushed us into making personal contributions within 48 hours to provide for the less privileged and vulnerable in Amafor, he described the gesture as a show of kindness and love towards our people in the village at a time we need one another and advised the people to stay at home, maintain personal hygiene, wash their hands with soap and water, use hand sanitizers and above all maintain social distancing, he expressed optimism that the pandemic will soon be over and no Amafor son or daughter both at home and in diaspora will be infected, he advised the people to heed to governments directive in order to remain safe.
He thanked the administrators of the fund in the persons of Rev Sam Ekeledo ,Chief Chidozie Iroegbu,
Chibuzo Chibuike Obobo,Okeosisi TPM Gbugburu, Hon Ugo Ezeocha, Elder Victor Ikwunze, Ikedichi Imo
Sir Uzoechi Asiegbu, Mike Ehumadu, Chinenye Uzoukwu, Chuka Imo And Onyinyechi Agbara etal and all those who made donations for their dedication and love to the people.
Receiving the items on behalf of the families, Rev. Obioma Emelike, the Amafor Village chairman thanked those who decided to remember the less privileged in Amafor at a time like this and prayed God to replenish where ever the donations came out from, Rev. Emelike promised to ensure that the poor and the less privileged in the village are the ones to receive the food items.
In her own speech the Village Woman Leader Nneoma Ucheoma Chimereze Anosike lauded the gesture, adding that the materials will go a long way in assisting the poor and the less privileged in this period of hardship.
Speaking with The News Gazette Online on telephone, the traditional prime minister of Isingwu Autonomous Community Chief Charles Onwuneme (TPM Gburugburu) said “the gesture was a palliative measure to the community while they observe the lockdown and social distancing directives by the government as a way of curbing the spread of the virus”
He pleaded with people to heed to governments directive to stay at home and stay safe. “The virus does not move it is we the people that move it from one place to the other,” he said.
He advised the people to share the relief items to the vulnerable and stated that if the lockdown persists that he will also ensure that the illustrious sons of Isingwu will use the same network of volunteers to provide more food aid to all those in need.
Before the commencement of the distribution the community in a joint prayer session asked God to keep and protect every Amafor son and daughter both at home and in diaspora during this period of the pandemic.
