N’Delta Activist, Ofehe Launches Local Communities Support Initiative In Isoko

Nigerian-born Netherlands based environmental rights activist Comrade (Chief) Sunny Ofehe has launched his foundation’s new programme tagged ‘local communities support initiative’ in Isoko, Delta state.

Ofehe, a former governorship aspirant under the platform of the APC in the last general election, flagged off the programme in Iyede, his country home with food items distributed to the people of the local communities that make up Iyede clan in Isoko North Council Area of the state.

The activist who was represented by two volunteers of the Sunny Ofehe’s Foundation, Victor Obakparo Umuerri and Oghenero Akokotu, said that the food aid was to cushion the effect of the partial lockdown occasioned by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.

Addressing the leadership of the various communities in Iyede on Friday during a brief flag off event, Mr Akokotu, said that Chief Ofehe decided to flag off the project in his home town with food palliatives at a time the people needed the support.

He said that the items were to support those who cannot afford to properly take care of their family at this period, particularly the elderly and vulnerable among the communities.

“Chief Ofehe, a son of the soil has decided to send this palliatives and the face mask to the communities. He urged the communities to distribute the items judiciously to support whatever they have. He also urged the leadership to ensure that the people abide by the federal government COVID-19 guidelines by observing social distancing, washing of hands regularly and the use of hand sanitizer.

“Therefore, on behalf of Sunny Ofehe Foundation, I want to officially present this items to the Iyede Progressive Union, represented here by the Secretary General, Pastor Felix Ijomone.

According to him, the palliatives under the tagged ‘local communities support initiative’ was a pilot project designed by the Sunny Ofehe Foundation (SOF) in collaboration with Legionnaire for Mankind’s Health to cater for the elderly, vulnerable people across communities in the Niger Delta region.

He said that Ofehe who has been in the forefront of environmental justice for the Niger Delta region through his Hope for Niger Delta Campaign (HNDC), have reached out to many communities in the region.

Responding, Pastor Ijomone who represented the President General of the Iyede Progressive Union (IPU), thanked Ofehe and his NGO for the gesture, saying that the items would go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of the people at the time.

“We want to thank Chief Sunny Ofehe and his group for remembering his own at this critical time of COVID-19. The entire Kingdom here present and on behalf of my President General, Chief Jerry Okokowa and all the chairmen of the 17 communities in Iyede Kingdom, women and youth leaders, we want to say thank you for what you have brought for us. We appreciate this kind gesture”, he added.

Items distributed to the palace, some vulnerable individuals and communities include several numbers of 50kg bag of rice and tens of cartons of indomie noodles.