It was an obvious sigh of relief on the faces of vulnerable residents of Boripe Local Government who benefited from the food palliatives distributed by the State Government of Osun through the Food and Relief Committee set up by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
Their faces beamed with smiles on Monday as they trooped out in their numbers to take their share of the food items provided to mitigate the hardship caused by the stay-at-home order meant to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Osun.
Chants of “Olorun Oseun”, meaning “thank you God” rented the air in some quarters as officials started the sorting of the food items in preparation for distribution to the beneficiaries who are mostly aged men women.
The food items which include rice, beans, gaari, semovita, eggs and noodles were taken to six clusters for easy distribution to the beneficiaries whose names had earlier been compiled through the Osun World Bank Social Register for the vulnerable.
The relief materials were given to about 750 beneficiaries, using six service points located in Iragbiji, Ororuwo, Ada and Iree.
Immediately she got her own share of the palliative, 82-year old Mama Alubosa Felicia of Ojomo compound began to dance and sing praises to God for using Governor Oyetola to “feed her in this trying period”.
Mama Alubosa thanked the Governor for putting together the Food and Relief Committee to source for food on their behalf, stressing that the Governor is a kind-hearted man.
She said, “My son, you saw me dancing, didn’t you? That’s to show that these food items I have just received through our Governor means so much to me and I am thankful to God for giving us a man like Oyetola as Governor at this time.
“I don’t have any food at home right now. My children have not been able to send me money for food because of the lockdown and God, in his mercy, has used Oyetola to feed me. I am very happy, I pray that God should bless our Governor and the Food Committee”, Mama Florence prayed.
A widow, Mrs Rashidat Bisiru, from Oluode compound, Ada explained that things have not been easy for her kids, especially since the lockdown began.
She stated that she had not been able to go to her petty trading as a result of the lockdown, hence life has been difficult. She thanked the Governor for thinking it wise to provide food for the vulnerable which she is part of.
According to her, “I am a widow with four children to feed. I lost my husband about four years ago and I depend on a small business which I use to feed my children. Since the lockdown started I have not been able to go out and do anything and so the hunger has been severe.
“But God has sent Oyetola to me and my children in this time of need. We have been given rice and beans and I am very happy and grateful to the Governor and the Food Committee. God will bless them”.
In his own reaction, Pa Ismaila Oyedele from Ororuwo said the food palliative he just got is his only hope of meal for the next days to come. He thanked the Governor for deciding to set up a committee to feed the poor in the society, an act which he describes as wonderful.
“I thank Governor Oyetola and the 21-man Food and Relief Committee. I thank them for coming to my aid through this food items; I am assured of eating good meals at least for the next few days. God bless everyone who has continued to do this”, the 75-year old man said.
Mrs Babajide Juliana of Oduamu compound in Aagba who expressed her delight by singing songs of praise to God, said Oyetola has demonstrated the spirit of a true leader who cares for his people in difficult time.
She said, “apart from this food items we are receiving from Oyetola today, he has been doing very well for us since he became the Governor of our State. We are proud of him because we have been enjoying him.
“He has done so much for us. He never wants us to suffer any form of hardship, he is a loving and caring Governor”.
The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi, who called on other rich sons and daughters of the State to come to the aid of the poor masses at this time, expressed gratitude to Governor Oyetola for remembering the masses at their critical time of need.
Chairman, Boripe local government, Rev. Oye Adebayo expressed delight on the kind gesture of the Governor and the Committee. He said the food items distributed will go a long way in easing the pains of the vulnerable masses in the local government.
The distribution of the food items was witnessed by the representatives of the Christian Association of Nigera(CAN), Boripe chapter, the Muslim community, traditional institutions and Civil Society Organisations.
