Palliatives’ beneficiaries in Ife Central Local Government have expressed their appreciation to Osun Government and the 21-Man Food and Relief Committee for the food items given to them to cushion the harsh effects of Covid-19 lockdown imposed on the State by the government.
This is just as the heads of the local government and community development councils canvassed for tax payment by the people to the government as this remains the pivot for accelerated development.
The Chairman, Ife Central local government Hon. Adeyera Elugbaju speaking with the Press Crew of the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, applauded the proactive measures of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, said his style of government is an outstanding one worthy of emulation, adding that over one thousand beneficiaries were selected to benefit from the palliative distribution.
Adeyera stated that communities such as Christians, Muslims, Traditional and others are represented in the distribution which was distributed at five centers such as Ife Central Secretariat, Ife Central West local council development area, Health Center Aderemi area, Ambassador College and St. Ethopa Church, Oke-Ijan area of Ile-Ife, stressing that using more than a distribution point was to ensure the social distance regulation.
He urged the people of Osun to cooperate with the administration of Governor Oyetola, pay taxes as and when due and also abide by the safety guidelines against Covid-19.
Also, the Chairman Ife Central West Local Council Development Area, Barrister Olusola Oladosu thanked Osun government through the Committee for the provision of the palliatives meant to cushion the effect of Coronavirus pandemic lockdown and also alleviate the suffering of the people, stated that the sharing pattern was fair and transparent.
Oladosu added that the city of Ile-Ife being a business hub among other local governments in the state has people of different backgrounds which was why vulnerable residents from other ethnic groups were also beneficiaries of the palliatives, thereby making it an all -encompassing one.
The Chairman, Ife Central Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Bisi Olatife commended the 21-Man Committee for being God-fearing in their dealing with the people, saying the food relief which was unexpected was a necessity because of the lockdown occasioned by Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the whole World.
Praying for the government, he said the beneficiaries were selected fairly devoid of religious sentiments, adding because they were truly vulnerable.
Olatife describing the gesture of the government as the right step in the right direction, thanked the government and urged it to continue with other development programmes.
Similarly, the Deputy Chief Imaam of Ife Central local government, Alhaji Ridwan said palliatives by the government was a good one, because people had been unable to work due to the lockdown but the impact was felt more by the vulnerable such as widows, the aged, among others.
He added that part of the transparency of the distribution program was the inclusion of heads/representatives of religious bodies and civil societies, saying the sharing was also done openly for all to witness the distribution and collection of the palliatives by the target beneficiaries.
The Chairman, Community Development Council, Alhaji Sikiru Oladepo Balogun said the palliatives given to the vulnerable was via the World Bank Social Register which he described as brilliant.
Balogun urged the community and state at large to fulfill their civic responsibility of paying taxes, saying ‘one good turn deserves another’. He advised that everyone should stay safe by observing the precautions against Coronavirus to curb its spread in the state.
