COVID-19 Lockdown: Isokos Roll Out N16m Food Aid For Vulnerable

Food items worth over N16 million have been unveiled for the vulnerable in Isoko land to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown, courtesy a fundraiser by the Isoko people.

BIGPEN reports that the funds used to purchase the items was sourced through communal fund gathering method adopted by the ethnic nationality. It was learnt that the ethnic nation got the money through a fundraiser driven by illustrious sons and daughters as well as well wishes.

Speaking during the flagged off of the distribution exercise, Chairman, Isoko South Local Government Council, Mr Itiako Ikpokpo, said that the funds were raised after the two council of Isoko South and North decided to partner in the project.

He said that the gesture was in response to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s appeal to local government councils and well-meaning individuals and organizations to assist the less-privileged in their domain.

“For the first time, we had all people from the various strata of Isoko contributing to this fund and over N16 million was raised for this project.

“These food items are meant for our vulnerable people in Isoko and our brothers and sisters in Ndokwa East and Bayelsa, and I must thank the President-General of Isoko Development Union, IDU, Chief Iduh Amadhe, for always giving them their due place.

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“What we have done is to distribute two baskets of beans, one basket of rice, one basket of garri and two tubers of yam to each of the over 3,000 households in the 19 clans of Isoko, and we have volunteers leading in the sharing of the items with the list of the vulnerable already drawn up”.

Ikpokpo, however, thanked all donors who partook in the fundraiser, including the National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr Kolade Alabi.

In the same vein, Chairman, Isoko North Local Government Council, Mr Emmanuel Egbabor, expressed delight over the success of the project, and called for more synergy between the two councils in the interest and unity of Isoko people.

“The truth is that I am very glad today because it is what God has destined for us the Isoko people. We have been able to coordinate all Isoko sons and daughters to be one in this project and I must commend the resilience and commitment of the committee members.

“COVID-19 does not know political party or religion; we are here today to support our less-privileged in these trying times. It is on record that at a time like this we stood together, not on political or religious divide, to bring succour to our people,” Egbabor said.

Earlier, Chairman, Isoko Nation COVID-19 Response Committee, Rt. Revd. John Aruakpor, had disclosed that the Committee had the responsibility of raising funds for the project and identifying the less-privileged in the communities for the distribution of the palliatives.

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No fewer than 3,000 households in the 19 clans that make up Isoko North and Isoko South local government areas and some selected households of Isoko people in Ndokwa East Local Government Area and Bayelsa benefited from the palliatives.