The Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Senator representing Ekiti Central, Opeyemi Bamidele, and other All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains from Iyin Ekiti in Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government area of the state have distributed food items to about 5,000 beneficiaries.
The items which included rice, beans, groundnut oil, garri, semovita, bread, Indomie noodles, cooking ingredients and spaghetti were given to vulnerable people in the town as the current lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic continues.
The Coordinator of the Ekiti State Anti -Grazing Marshall, Major Tajudeen Awe, who spoke on behalf of the Otunba Adebayo, said the gesture was necessary in order to give back to the people of the community.
He stated that the distribution had no political undertone or bias as every beneficiary was identified according to their needs at this trying time.
“This is a humanitarian service geared towards making lives better for our people in view of the hardship caused by COVID-19.
“That was why the politicians, especially the political office holders from this town, came together and donated money to buy all these products to give to the aged people, widows, physically challenged and other vulnerable citizens at this trying and painful time.”
Adebayo maintained that the philanthropic gesture would also help in complementing the efforts of Governor Kayode Fayemi while encouraging others to do same in the communities.
“We want to show them love. We contributed to ensure we reach out to everybody in this category. Governor Fayemi’s government has a food bank and we are only complementing this effort.
“Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo are the targets, no discrimination. Hunger respects no political party, tribe or race, so it is not political because PDP members are benefiting. It is for everybody,” he said.
A commissioner in the Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Bisi Dada, promised that the programme would continue until the present pandemic is tackled.
“We pray that we will overcome this in due course, but if it extends, we are assuring you that we are going to extend the gesture so that our people won’t suffer.”