–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA): By Michael EKOKORUWE:
The chairman of Isoko South local government area of Delta State, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, has received and distributed the palliatives from Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State food bank set up to cushion the effects occasioned by COVID 19 pandemic lockdown, to 11 federal wards of the local government area.
The food items received includes, 440 bags of rice, 220 big bags of beans and 630 cartons of indomee noodles. Sir Ikpokpo stated that the local government and wards committees set up for effective distribution and monitoring of the palliatives will ensure that the food items get to the vulnerable in the various wards.
He maintained that members of the local government committee to supervise the distribution of the palliatives are Bishop John Aruakpor, Hon. Kenneth Ogba, Hon. Ferguson Onwo, Hon. Churchill Amagada, Hon. Mrs. Catherine Ilolo and Hon. Mrs. Beatrice Igogo Oyibotha. He noted that the food items distribution to various wards, cut across party line at the town hall of each community.
Sir Ikpokpo who is the ALGON chairman Delta State stated that, the wards committee members were selected from the Christian Association of Nigeria (C.A.N) Isoko South chapter, community presidents general, women leaders and selected councilors to ensure that the vulnerable get the palliatives accordingly. He said, each ward will receive 40 bags of rice, 20 big bags of beans and 61 cartons of indomee noodles.
While addressing the committee members from the wards, Sir Ikpokpo noted that the palliatives are not for everybody, but for the artisans, less privileged people and widows.
Also speaking, Hon. Ferguson Onwo, member Delta State House of Assembly representing Isoko South constituency 2, commended Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the palliatives and urged the people to accept whatever is provided and be grateful, adding that no food item is small even as gratitude could attract more provision.
On her part, Hon. (Mrs.) Catherine Ilolo, commissioner Delta State local government service commission said, COVID 19 is real and urged the people to adhere strictly to the precautionary measures and stay safe.
Earlier, Hon. Churchill Amagada, commissioner for lands and survey Delta State, commended Governor Okowa for the food bank initiative which according to him will cushion the effects of COVID 19 pandemic lockdown in Isoko South. He urged the people to obey the lockdown order by staying at home to avoid contracting the deadly coronavirus ravaging the world as global emergency.
Also Hon. Kenneth Ogba, member Delta State House of Assembly representing Isoko South constituency 1 and Bishop John Aruakpor, Anglican Bishop of Oleh Diocese, commended Senator Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa for the palliatives received, noting that Okowa’s generosity of giving out quantities of food items to various local governments of the state is commendable and called on illustrious sons of various communities to emulate Governor Okowa.
Responding on behalf of the wards committee members, High Chief Hon. Gabriel Erueme, from Olomoro ward 6, assured of effective distribution of the food items, noting that each unit in the various wards will identify the vulnerable and distribute the items accordingly.
