A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Ejalonibu Foundation, on Friday started distribution of food items to 600 households in Badagry to cushion the effect of COVID-19 lockdown.
Mr Babatunde Wusu-Ejalonibu, Founder of the Foundation, said in Badagry that the gesture was to reduce hardship faced by some residents who live on daily income.
gry that might not be captured in the palliative arrangements put in place by government to reduce the hardship created by the lockdown.
“Our target is just to support humanity.
“We are all aware that government is trying and a lot of Nigerians are also trying, but it is not easy because so many Nigerians are on daily income.
“For us at the foundation, as a result of this COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown, we believe that people on daily income might not be captured one way or the other.
“We believe that the little intervention from our own side will go a long way in reducing the hardship that might be created by the lockdown.
“So, we packaged 5kgs of rice, beans, semovita, wheat and garri in each bag and we have distributed 200 bags today to different people who we believed this can sustain for some days,” he said.
He said that another 300 bags of the items would be distributed to Badagry West and Olorunda Local Council Development Area, while remaining 100 would be distributed within Badagry town.
He said through the assistance of some community leaders, the foundation had identified vulnerable residents and was distributing the food items to them.
He said that some friends of the Foundation also donated bags of 50kg of garri and rice to complement the efforts.
Wusu-Ejalonibu called on well meaning Nigerians and philanthropists to assist the government by providing food items to the people.
“I am appealing to well meaning Nigerians that this is tough time for those living on daily income because shops were locked, some offices are not opening, government efforts might not be for everybody.
“Nigeria is a country where we do not have data. So, I don’t know how government efforts can reach everybody.
“For those who can afford to eat well during this lockdown, let them extend this kind gesture or goodwill to the poor people,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Daniel Adewale, a fairly used shoe seller in Agbalata market, Badagry, thanked the foundation for the gesture.
Adewale prayed that God would continue to provide for the people that provided the items.
