The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has taken delivery of palliative items sent to people of the state by the Federal Government to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic
A delegation from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD) delivered three truck loads of rice and one truck load of vegetable oil to the state government as palliatives.
Receiving the materials in Lokoja on behalf of the State, Bello who was represented by his Deputy, Edward Onoja appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his passion especially towards the downtrodden in such a time where the world was facing such crisis.
He further thanked the Federal Minstry of Humanitarian Affairs for finding the state worthy to be recipient of such intervention.
The governor assured the president and the ministry that the items would reach those they were meant for.
Governor Bello explained that Kogi State had an existing database which has been helpful in time past to disburse similar interventions.
He assured that the database effectively covers the grassroots and would be valid to reach those who would need it more.
The Governor noted that though, the state has not recorded any COVID-19 case, safety measures should be adhered to by citizens even as prayers were being made in this month of Ramadan for God’s protection and interventions.
Earlier, the delegation which was led by the Minister of FMHADMSD represented by the Head of Special Duties, Mrs. Ojochenemi Nadia Mohammed, mentioned that in the wake of the pandemic, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered that food palliatives should be distributed to targeted less privilege across the country.
She pointed out that the situation caused by the pandemic particularly for those who were economically vulnerable was not good enough and hence the need for FG to take such step.
The Minister pointed out that the palliative was expected to be judiciously shared to those who needed them the most to serve as a succor.
In a vote of thanks, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Pharm Jamiu Abdulkareem, described the intervention as timely, adding that it would go a long way to help people of the state during this trying period.
While he thanked the Federal Government for such kind gesture, he expressed hope that the state would further receive more interventions.
