No fewer than 3,269 people across Ifedayo; Iwo, Isokan and Atakumosa-west local governments of Osun State benefitted from the food and relief materials distributed by the 21-man food and relief committee set up by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to cushion the effects of the lockdown in the state.
769 residents benefited from the palliatives in Iwo local government; 727 people benefited in Atakumosa-west local government, just as 740 people benefited from the palliatives in Ifedayo local government while 1,033 people benefitted in Isokan local government.
The food and relief committee had on Wednesday commenced the statewide distribution of food stuffs across the local government areas in the state.
The beneficiaries of the food and relief items in Iwo LGAs lauded the State Government and the Committee for rescuing them from hunger, describing the distribution as “impartial and fair”.
The food items were distributed to 769 residents across Iwo central, Iwo-east and Iwo-west Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, respectively.
Some of the beneficiaries, while receiving the food items that comprised rice, semovita, indomie noodles, garri, beans and spaghetti, appreciated the effort of the Government through the Committee to lift them out of hunger.
A beneficiary, Mrs Olubisi Ogunwale from Oke-Bode area, Iwo, said the gesture had rekindled her hopes for a greater tomorrow with the quantity of the food items she received.
Mrs. Ogunwale who received 10kg rice, pieces of spaghetti and 5kg garri, said “I have received food stuffs capable of sustaining me for the next few days”.
Another beneficiary, Mr Tijani Ojuolape Akande from Iwo-east LCDA, expressed delight over the quality and quantity of food items given to him.
He said: ” I am amazed to have received these items. This has proven that the government meant well for us because I had nothing on me this morning, and with this, I can eat and live comfortably for the next one week”.
Mr. Akande, who couldn’t hold back his joy, showered encomiums on the benefactors for counting them worthy.
Miss Taiwo Adija and Mr. Olasupo Kehinde, both from Iwo-west LCDA, said no amount of appreciation can measure up the good gesture.
Also impressed by the quality of food and relief materials to the vulnerable people of Isokan Local Government of Osun State, the immediate past chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the area, Pastor Julius Odetunde has commended Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
Odetunde, who was one of the independent assessors of the ongoing distribution in Isokan, observed that with the gesture the governor has put smiles on the faces of the downtrodden in the area.
According to him, “beneficiaries of the relief materials are really grateful to the State Government for the kindness. At a time like this, people are really suffering and looking for what to eat. This package has come in at the right time to alleviate the sufferings of the people, and they are truly grateful to the government and the 21-man Committee”.
Odetunde commended the transparent and inclusive manner with which the distribution was done. “We are so impressed with the transparent process, which has seen vulnerable citizens such as the aged, handicapped and others benefiting. These are people who ordinarily cannot afford a three-square-meal per day. Government has done well with this openness and transparency”, he said.
The Chairman of Isokan LGA, Mr. Akanji Oladeni Badiru was also full of gratitude for the distribution, which he described as “equitable and beyond the expectation of the people”.
He commended the 21-man Committee for the work done. He said, “they have performed beyond our expectation. This distribution is very equitable. The people are very happy. They have done the work well as lovers of the people”.
Over 1,000 vulnerable persons benefited across six distribution clusters such as Isokan LGA headquarters, Agbowu African Primary School, Apowu Grammar School, African Grammar School and Ikoyi.
