A Humanitarian organisation, Victims Support Fund (VSF), established by the former Chief of Defence staff and Philanthropist, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), to alleviate sufferings posed by the outbreak of COVID-19, has donated solar boreholes and Personal Protective Equipment to three schools in Enugu state.
“This Followed the successful implementation of the 1st and 2nd phase of the VSF COVID-19 Emergency Intervention Programme which involved the distribution of food , medical consumables and personal protective equipments(PPEs) to 19 states across the six geo-political zone of the country as well as the _provision of support_ and donations to the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons(MCFRMI), Federal ministry of health and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control(NCDC).
Presenting the facilities to the benefiting schools at the Government College, Agbanii in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state, on Friday, Chairman of the VSF Emergency Task Force on COVID-19, Mrs. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, said that “the VSF taskforce on COVID-19 as part of it’s 3rd phase intervention programme, commenced the hand-over. of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH) facilities to fifty- four(54) schools in 18 states across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Three schools in each state have been chosen to benefit from this”
She said that three schools in Enugu state benefitted from the intervention. The schools included Girls Secondary school , Ngwo, Udi local government area, Government’ college, Agbani, Nkanu West local government area and Community Secondary School, Ugbene -Ajima, in Uzo Uwani local government area of the state.
She said that each of the benefiting schools would receive a solar powered borehole, four hand wash stations and 2,000 pieces of reusable face masks, five pieces of 4litre hand sanitizer , 120 bottles of 500ml liquid hand wash and 5 cartons of blleach. She added that each of the three schools will also receive five pieces of four litre hand sanitizers, 120 bottles of 500ml liquid hand-wash and five cartons of bleach.
According to her, VSF observed that some people do not keep to the COVID-19 protocol of regular hand wash because of lack of water. She said that the organisation looked at the needed areas, the schools that needed the facilities and executed the projects across the six geo-political zones of country.. In the south Abia, Anambra and Enugu sttates benefited from the programme.
She said that the organisation felt concern about the plight of students and teachers, who did not have access to water, which had made regular hand washing against COVID-19 ,difficult.
“Victim Support Fund continues to work to provide relief to victims of insurgency and armed conflicts in Nigeria, especially in the core areas of livelihood and recovery, education and protection, infrastructural development, research and peace building .
She thanked the founder of VSF, General T.Y. Danjuma (rtd), for his good works in the country, especially for providing succour to the less priviledged.
The Chairperson urged the state government to pump the water into villages, so that the people in the communities could have water supply.
She urged them to protect the facility and that the VSF monitoring team will from time to time, go
round to monitor the facilities.
Ogunsiji said that if they protect and utilise the facility well, it will attract more interventions She said members of the VSF Taskforce on COVID-19 are Mrs Toyose Akerele-Ogusiji, Chairperson, Mr Akasim.Abdulkadir, Elder Sunday Oibe.
Commissioning the project, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Uche Ezeh, commended Danjuma and the VSF team, for their interventions to ease the challenges posed by COVID-19.
He said that Enugu State Government received the palliative the organisation donated to the state during the first wave of COVID-19, with thanks and made sure that the palliativs got to every local government areas, to the people they were meant for..
Ugwuanyi noted that water is essential to the fight against COVID-19.
He assured that the state government would encourage school children to always wash their hands so that they do not contact COVID-19.
” We encourage our children as we had been doing to continue to wash their hands everytime.
“As you have done this for us, like Oliver Twist will say.., we are assuring you that we will protect this facility. We will continue to appreciate you”,he said.
In a brief remarks, the permanent secretary, Post Primary School Management Board(PPSMB), Evangelist Favour Ugwuanyi, mni, thanked VSF for their interventions. She said they will sit down and discuss how best the facilities will be secured.
Earlier, the Principal of Government College, Agbani, Lady Uzoamaka Ani, commended Ugwuanyi, the donor, VSF Taskforce on COVID-19; General T.Y. Danjuma for his “relentless and selfless services to the society.
She said: ” Sir, the entire country knows you as a selfless social worker and a great philanthropist. The country had witnessed how you elbowed your way through all hardships and worked for the destitute, the needy, and the poor. You really have been the beacon light for all those who want to follow your foot step.
“As you remembered these institutions to also benefit from your numerous good deeds, we are very grateful and we pray that the good Lord will continue to replenish your endeavours and blessings year after year. Thank you so much sir”, she said.
The benefiting schools are Government college, Agbani, Community secondary school, Nara, and Community secondary school, Amagunze.
The principal urged the students to make good use of the facility and protect it.
She also appealed to the state government to assist the school in securing the facility.
In his goodwill message, the President General of Mgbogodo Town Union, Ikechukwu Ani, thanked VSF for providing the solar water borehole for the community. He appealed that the government assist the town to electrify the parts of the community that is without light .
Highlights of the occasion were demonstration of handwash by the VSF team and presentation of songs and cultural dance. The colourful event was attended by members of Enugu state COVID-19 palliative committee, led by the secretary, Barrister (Mrs) Nkech Eneh, House committees chairman on health,Hon. Sam Ngene, members of Mgbogodo, Agbani communities, among others.