It was the turn of the vulnerable in Orolu and Ejigbo Local Governments on Saturday to receive the palliative of the 21 Man Food and Relief Committee set up by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to mitigate the hardship of the stay at home order occasioned by Covid-19.
About 1,450 beneficiaries made up of the aged, widows and the physically challenged in the two local governments started arriving the distribution points to receive their own share of the materials as early as 8 O’clock in the morning.
Items distributed by the government through the 21-man committee include: rice, beans, Gaari, Semovita among others at different points across the two local governments.
Mama Awawu Ogundeji of Asalu compound who took to dancing immediately she got her portion said with the help of God Governor Oyetola has touched her life in a manner in which nobody else has done through the provision of the food.
Mama Ogundeji who came with (Mosunmola) her grand daughter who resides with her explained that she and Mosun are now assured of their meal for the next one week or more.
According to Mama Ogundeji, “I don’t know what to say, I will just say thank you to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for his kindness. This is marvelous in my sight I must tell you, I can’t fully express how grateful I am for receiving this.
“As you can see, I am here with my grand daughter, her father who used to send me money has not been going to work and he said there is no money to send. So you can imagine the relief that this has brought to me. Oyetola, I thank you so much”. The aged woman explained.
Mrs Saratu Basiru from Owoke compound, Ifon Osun, who described the Governor as a father indeed prayed for long life for the state helmsman, stressing that the palliative material has renewed her hope of having something to eat again.
In her words, “I thank my daddy, yes Governor Oyetola is my daddy. Anyone that provides food for someone is a daddy. As I am talking to you I can’t thank him enough, I am only saying this, it is God that will help me thank Oyetola for putting a smile on my face.
“For a governor to remember us in this time, it shows his meekness and love for his people, from the bottom of my heart I pray that Oyetola too will not go hungry.
A beneficiary from Asalu community in Ifon Osun, Mrs Funmilayo Olaoye who could barely walk said she had been facing the challenge of what to eat for about two days, saying she had been living on a single meal per day for over a week.
“For about four days now I have been living on a meal per day all because there is not enough food at home. When I got the call yesterday to come and collect food items, I was so happy and now that I have received it, my joy is even more full.
“Governor Oyetola has done really well for us, I pray that God will continue to be with him and his cabinet members, I also thank the 21-man Food committee for providing this.
Mr Nurudeen Azeez who is physically challenged from Onikanga Kpakpa compound in Ejigbo said the rice and beans included in the food items will go a long way in assisting him during the Ramadan period as he has been finding it really difficult to get food to observe the Ramadan.
“This food item given to us by the Governor through the 21 man food and relief committee that was set up has really come at the right time. The beans in particular is very useful at this time of Ramadan, I fervently pray that God should continue to help our Governor.
“He has provided food for us in this difficult time, I pray that God too should show up to him too during his difficult time”. Mr Azeez prayed.
Also from Onikanga Kpakpa compound in Ejigbo, Mrs Janet Aboderin who was obviously delighted to receive the food items said Governor Oyetola has displayed so much compassion and love for his people through the various steps the governor has taken since the whole Covid-19 issue started.
Speaking in his palace, the Olufon of Orolu kingdom, commended the high sense of responsibility Governor Oyetola has displayed since the Coronavirus pandemic broke out, stressing that the distribution of the palliative is just another testament to the fact that the Governor loves his people dearly.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Orolu Local Government, Prince Adekunle Benson said he is delighted to be an instrument in the distribution of the palliative which the Governor provided through the Food and Relief committee to ease the pain of the vulnerable while the lockdown lasts.
The distribution continues in other local governments tomorrow.