Tag: relief materials

  • Foundation to donate relief materials

    Foundation to donate relief materials

    Ajaye Kusa Foundation is set to donate relief materials to less privileged people in Badagry community, Lagos State.

    The foundation is a charity organisation established by Dr. Meshack Ajaye Kusa and his wife, Mrs. Olga Kusa, to help children and the underprivileged.

    Kusa, his wife and children live in Canada and recently together with friends, Otunba Michael Daramola, former managing director and chairman, International Breweries, Tunde Izokun, former director at Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Joseph Kusa, Ms. Hannah Steward and other members travelled to Badagry, Lagos State on a relief mission.

    “We have been on this for a while and I am happy this is happening. I cannot forget my community and the intention is to put smiles on the faces of my people.

    Read Also: Ondo rainstorm victims get relief materials

    “This is just first of the initiatives we have on the cards. More will certainly come later,” Dr. Kusa said yesterday.

    On Sunday, the team, in collaboration with Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Orisun Iye, will distribute over 500 relief food packages to residents of Ikoga Zebbe Badagry at Wewo Quarters.

    Each of the relief package contains a bag of 5kg rice, a bag of 1kg Semovita, a bottle of 1L cooking oil and salt.

    “We are also going to entertain guests at a special lunch as part of the activities of the day,” Kusa added.

  • NGO distributes relief materials to 250 widows in Ibadan

    The Channel for Widows Relief Initiative (CFWRI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has donated relief materials to 250 widows in Ibadan to provide solace and care for the widows.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items donated include rice, beans, milk and garri to the 250 widows.

    A sewing machine was presented to one of the widows, Mrs Khadijat Ahmed, who learnt fashion designing and graduated from the training centre of CFWRI.

    Alhaja Fadilah Balogun, Founder of CFWRI, donated the materials on Wednesday during the 8th Ramadan Food Relief Programme of the organisation.

    Balogun said that life was always full of uncertainties and unpredictable circumstances and this happened when a woman lost her husband and became a widow.

    She said this was why CFWRI mobilised the widows and cared for them.

    “These women by the loss of their breadwinners are united by CFWRI

    through provision of skills acquisition, economic and financial empowerment, health care services and education support for their orphaned children to give them sense of belonging.

    “The population of widows is steadily increasing in Nigeria and little is known about them and the challenges they go through are making their situations worse,” Balogun said.

    Read Also: NGO lifts 2,400 IDPs, orphans in Kaduna

    She said that the organisation was spreading its coverage on national basis and about 20 widows had been registered in Ekiti State and benefiting from CFWRI programmes and same was expected in each state of Nigeria.

    Balogun said that CFWRI intended to reduce unemployment among the youth and had installed a monogram designing machine to further extend the empowerment training to youths for financial sustainability.

    The Guest Lecturer, Imam Ismail Busari, called on the family of the widows not to make life unbearable for them but take good care of them to reduce their suffering.

    Busari, who delivered a lecture on “Human Right is Widow’s Right” urged the widows to summon courage on the death of their husbands, saying death was inevitable.

    He said that Islam recognised the right of widows in order for them not to suffer after the demise of their husbands.

    In his contribution, the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Isiaq Olajide, commended CFWRI for assisting the widows.

    Also contributing, the Chairperson, Board of Trustees of the organisation, Alhaja Muslimat Salau, said the widows were facing a lot of challenges and CFWRI was here to care for them.

    Salau said that a lot of widows had received succour through the NGO and urged the widows to make judicious use of the materials given to them.

  • Edo distributes relief materials to flood victims in 5 LGAs

    Edo State Government has distributed relief materials, comprising food items and building materials to victims of flood disaster in five local government areas across the state.

    Addressing journalists after presenting the materials to representatives of the affected local government areas, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon, said the exercise is the second for donating materials to victims of the 2018 flood disaster.

    Gowon said the five local government areas that received the materials are Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo, Ovia North-East, Uhunmwode, and Etsako East.

    READ ALSO: Edo production centre opens for business

    He added: “Sometime last year, rainstorm affected about five local councils. We gave some relief materials to them last year and today, we have perishable and non-perishable materials to give to the communities. The items include bags of rice, garri, beans, gallons of red and vegetable oil, bundles of roofing sheets, nails, and noodles.”

    Relief materials being distributed by Edo State Government, to victims of flooding in five local government areas, in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    The governor’s aide said the state government is putting flood control measures in place in the affected areas to prevent future reoccurrence.

    Protocol Officer to Uhunmwode Council Chairman, Mr. Lucky Idehen, expressed appreciation to the state government for the donations, assuring that the distribution committee set-up last year would ensure the materials get to the affected victims.

    Idehen, said, “We thank Governor Godwin Obaseki for ameliorating the plight of the people of the council, who were affected by the rainstorm. The governor has brought succor to us and we are grateful to him.”

  • Ogun flood victims get relief materials

    Ogun State govern-ment has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to 1,800 flood victims in Abeokuta North and South Local Government Areas of the State. Governor Ibikunle Amosun, during the flag off ceremony for the July 13, 2018 flood victims at Arcade ground Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said flooding was a global phenomenon, which occurred as a result of climate change and had continued to wreck havoc in different parts of the world.

    Represented by his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, Amosun said structures mostly affected were situated at flood-prone areas, with poor sanitation. He called on relevant agencies of government to be more effective at ensuring good environmental sanitation, so as to prevent recurrence. Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr. Mustafa Maihaja, represented by the Chief Planning Officer, Mr. Segun Afolayan, noted that 1800 victims registered with NEMA and their items were ready for distribution.

    In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye, stated that relief materials to be distributed included foodstuffs, building materials, mattress, among others, imploring beneficiaries to effectively utilise them.

     

  • Relief materials for Ogun flood victims 

    Joy and excitement enveloped the premises of Ogun State Ministry of Environment Oke Mosan, Abeokuta the state capital as the Association of Lions Club International District 404B1 Nigeria, donated clothes, food stuffs, shoes and other relief materials to victims of flood that ravaged that part of the state of late. The gesture was part of the club’s corporate social responsibilities (CSR) and humanitarian services.

    Over 30 members across the District led by its Governor Olalekan Babalola, immediate past District Governor Oyewole Oyewunmi, an engineer, first District Vice-Governor Ben Eboreime, were present during the presentation of the relief materials.

    Speaking at the event, the District Governor, Lion Babalola said the club donated the relief materials as a way of assisting the victims, even as he said members of the club appreciated the victims’ current situation.

    He said: “It is not the amount that is important; it’s the spirit behind the gesture. You cannot quantify our thinking of it and making it actionable. That is more important than the monetary aspect that has gone into it.

    “I couldn’t refute the suggestion of the District Welfare Chairperson, Lion (Mrs.) Sandra Gbadebo, when she suggested the idea of donating to these victims. Definitely, I understood what could be their current conditions because I myself had once been a victim of flood disaster when I was living in Lagos State.

    “I left for work that faithful day, my house and properties were intact, but the reverse was the case when I returned back home. I met my house submerged to the extent the flood collapsed part of the building. It took me some years of hustling before I got myself right. This made me to understand what could be their present condition.”

    According to Lion Babalola, Lions Club International was established in 1917 in Chicago, United States of America (USA) to provide humanitarian services to the communities. The members deployed their ‘time, talents and treasures’.

    He said the International Club focused its attention on complementing government’s efforts in proffering solutions to five major challenges that were confronting the society globally.

    He said diabetes was the greatest of the challenges, adding that Lions Club frequently organised campaigns, screenings and treatments against diabetes as it was fast becoming world’s most dangerous epidemic.

    He stressed that the Club had planned to stage another awareness campaign in November to enable the masses to know their statuses, causes and best way to treat or avoid the scourge of diabetes.

    The District Governor noted that sight conservation and preservation, feeding the hungry, environmental protection and paediatric cancer, especially for the children, are other areas of focus for Lions Club.

    He said the club would continue to support government and all communities in finding solutions to some of the global challenges. He added that where there is no need, there is no Lions and where there’s Lions, there’s is need.

    He appealed for strong collaboration between the Ogun State Environmental Agency and Lions pledged the club’s commitment to solve environmental challenges across the state. He assured the club will complement government’s efforts in tackling environmental challenges.

    Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Kunle Lanre Osota, who received the donations on behalf of the Commissioner, Hon Bolaji Oyeleye, commended Lions Club for supporting the people in their trying times. He said the donation shows they are committed to rendering humanitarian services to communities. He assured that the donation would go a long way to enhance the well-being of the victims. He appealed to corporate organisations, businessmen and social groups to help the needy.

    Mr. Osota advised residents not to dump garbage in drainage, even as he pleaded with them to ensure that their surroundings are clean to avoid a recurrence of the disaster.

    Highlight of the event was presentation of cheque to one of the Club leaders, Mr. Osita Anigwe who is down with prostate cancer by the District Governor and other members of the club.

  • NEMA DG: Senators, Reps at distribution of relief materials

    Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mustapha Maihaja yesterday said some Senators and members of the House of Representatives witnessed distribution of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in  many states.

    He said members of the National Assembly were involved as part of the transparency of the Federal Government.

    He faulted allegations that relief materials were not distributed to states in the North-East  since his assumption of office last year.

    He also said a sub-committee, headed by Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo-Udoma,  held meetings with Borno, Yobe and others where the issue and distribution  was discussed.

    He said the materials were distributed under a Presidential Intervention Programme, which was coordinated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    He submitted the list of shared materials and photographs of the delivery processes  to the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness led by Hon. Ali Isa.

    Maihaja  cleared the air during the continuation of the hearing  on the activities of NEMA in the last one year.

    He said contrary to accusations that neither state governments nor officials of State Emergency Management Agency  (SEMA) were involved, the Federal Government held series of meetings with the beneficiary states.

    He said: “We were transparent, we ensured fairness in the distribution of relief materials. I have the list of the items, how the distribution was done  and photographs to confirm the deliveries.

    “ This is a presidential intervention conceived  by the Vice President. “The issue at stake was a Presidential intervention. By the time I took over,  I was  invited on 26th May, 2017 to join the team.

    “A sub-committee headed by Minister of Budget and National Planning held meetings with Borno, Yobe and others where the issue and distribution  was discussed.

    “They were part of the programme. We moved to site together with them. There’s perfect collaboration  with the states right from the onset.

    “This is not an issue of telling lies, the problem here could be communication gap. We worked together and the materials got to the right place”.

    “The governments of Yobe and Adamawa were invited at the inception of the programme. They made input into where and how many quantity of items to be distributed.

    “There was collaboration with the states. We visited the governors to the best of my understanding. The states were part of the distribution from day one .

    “There could be issue of breakdown of communication. The Vice President was the one who conceived it.  Officials of Gombe and Yobe states were involved in the process of distribution of these items. They went with us and ensured that these items were distributed to the right destinations.”

    At a point, a member of the Committee, Abdulraham Shaibu  said the DG changed the system of distribution by not involving lawmakers in the distribution.

    “Why were our members not involved in the distribution? In 2016, we were asked to nominate members for the distribution, we were involved and every ward in the three Local government in my Constituency got the materials”.

    Responding,  the DG said besides visiting several IDP camps, several Federal lawmakers participated in the distribution of the materials.

    He added: “Senator Bukar and Honourable Karasuwa   participated in the distribution in Yobe State and other lawmakers in other states too. The problems might be communication gap”, he added.

    Representatives of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) from Yobe, Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe had denied awareness of distribution of relief materials to their States.

    Bauchi confirmed knowledge of the distribution of the materials but regretted that the State government was not involved in its distribution.

    Taraba SEMA claimed to be involved in the planning but excluded from the distribution.

    Gombe claimed that it has no Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and had no use for relief food materials but prefer restoration of its infrastructures.

  • Hostel fire: Ekiti community gives relief materials to students

    Efon Alaaye Community in Ekiti State, has donated relief materials to students of Federal Government Girls’ College whose hostel was gutted by fire last month.

    The relief materials included 110 mattresses and 110 cupboards which were made available by funds donated by Efon Alaaye indigenes within and outside the country.

    Speaking while presenting the materials to the school authorities and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) in Efon Alaaye, the Obalufon Alayemore, Oba Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare, described the college as ‘the pride of the community’

    The monarch, who recalled the event with sadness, thanked God that no student died in the blaze which consumed their personal effects.

    Oba Aladejare said immediately the incident happened, he got in touch with Efon Alaaye indigenes in Nigeria and in Diaspora to contribute money to aid the beleaguered students.

    The royal father explained that a dedicated account was opened in the bank in which the town’s indigenes made their donations which resulted in the purchase of the relief materials.

    Oba Aladejare added: “Immediately the incident happened, we got in touch with the principal on the immediate and urgent needs of the students and he told us that what they needed most were mattresses and cupboards.

    “This school is a property of the Federal Government and we are appealing to them to rehabilitate the burnt hostel because the students are being housed in a temporary structure.

    “We have also advised the principal to do the estimate of the cost of the burnt property to the Federal Government and the Efon Community would do the follow-up.”

    The acting principal Mr Samuel Adeyemi, appreciated the royal father and the community for standing by the college and its students during the crisis.

    He explained that the school management has carried out the proper electrification of the other hostel to prevent a reoccurrence of the blaze.

     

  • 300 get relief materials in Ekiti

    300 get relief materials in Ekiti

    Not less than 300 victims of natural disasters in Ekiti State had cause to smile  as the Federal Government commenced distribution of relief materials to them.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, inaugurated the distribution on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari with the assurance of more relief materials from the Federal Government.

    Fayemi said Buhari was concerned about the plight of victims of natural disasters such as rainstorm and flood many of who had been rendered homeless.

    Relief materials distributed included bags of rice, millet, cement, corrugated iron sheets, nails, blankets, mats, clothings, asbestos, underwear, toiletries and detergents, among others.

    The minister was joined in the distribution exercise by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Mustapha Yinusa Maihaja, Governor Ayo Fayose, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Emergency Matters, Mr. Akinwale Rasheed and General Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Femi Osasona.

    The event, which took place at Ekiti State Office of NEMA located at Ajebamidele area of Ado-Ekiti was witnessed by beneficiaries, emergency officials and leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Fayemi revealed that Buhari, who was concerned about the effects of rainstorm and flood on the people of Ekiti State ordered NEMA to send the relief materials for distribution.

    The minister further explained that Buhari was ready to assist all Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliation, religion, ethnic background, culture and language.

    He stressed that Ekiti State had received much assistance from the Buhari administration since assumption of office in May, 2015. They include two tranches of bailout funds, Budget Support Fund for 13 months, Paris Club refund and N2 billion ecological funds.

    Fayemi said: “What NEMA is doing is not the first time the Federal Government under President Buhari is coming to the rescue of our people.

    “The President believes that he is the President of all Nigerians and that is why the states that had benefited most from his government are opposition states because it is Nigerians that are living and working there.

    “That is the message of Mr. President, he is the President of all Nigerians regardless of race, party affiliation, race, religion, culture and language. He will always work for all Nigerians as long as they are Nigerians.”

    In a chat with reporters, Fayemi further said: “You have heard of Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Harma and disaster in Puerto Rico and other places and these happen as a result of climate change.

    “So, all we can do is to ensure that we are better prepared and NEMA under Mr. Maihaja is better prepared for this.

    “I have seen him in places such as Benue, Kogi and other places where he have series of floods. The best we can do is to be prepared like the Boys Scout motto indicates. We know the period when these things happen.”

    Fayose, who spoke through Rasheed said: “We are grateful that NEMA is extending hands of fellowship to victims in our state. On behalf of the state governor and the entire people of the state, we sincerely thank NEMA for assisting the flood victims.”

    Earlier in his remarks, NEMA D-G Maihaja, noted that Ekiti was one of the states that first experienced rainstorm around February which he said was witnessed in about 27 other states.

    Maihaja said climate change caused many natural disasters to victims across the country, noting that natural disasters and floods can overstretch federal and state governments.

    He added: “On behalf of my agency, we express our deep concern and sympathy to all the people that were affected.

    “We have brought some of the materials with which we are inaugurating the scheme to alleviate the suffering of the people.

    “Incidences such as floods and rainstorms are natural disasters which we humans cannot stop but NEMA will continue to assist victims to live

    their normal lives through relief materials and rescue operations.”

    When asked on the cost of the materials, Maihaja said: It is difficult to say anything about the cost now due to some factors but the cost can be provided later.”

     

  • UTI, IDAHOSA DONATE RELIEF MATERIALS TO EDO IDPs

    UTI, IDAHOSA DONATE RELIEF MATERIALS TO EDO IDPs

    TV icon Uti Nwachukwu and Senior Pastor, CGMi Church Unusual, Rev. Mrs. Laurie Idahosa have paid a Christmas Charity visit to the IDP Camp in Uhogua Community, Benin City, Edo State. The visit was to donate relief items to widows and children displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

    The former BBA winner donated brand new clothing materials to the widows as well as educational items, toys and food to children, while Mrs. Idahosa’s supplied the volunteer work force, logistics as well as a meal for the 2,400 residents of the camp.

    The missionaries, widows and children in the camp were ecstatic with all the gifts and especially commented about being given meat to eat, explaining that it has been months since they’ve tasted meat or fish.

    Explaining his decision to partner his NGO with Idahosa, Uti stated that Idahosa’s integrity and long term commitment to the humanitarian efforts for the IDPs made her an ideal partner for this collaboration.

    Rev Laurie Idahosa however urged everyone to look for a way to support the underprivileged this Christmas season.

    “I believe that there is much more that we can do as Nigerians to spread love and kindness to our brothers and sisters,” she said

    Uti and Idahosa were accompanied by award winning actor Blossom Chukwujekwu, filmmaker Kevwe Ogunje, Reality TV Stars Lillian Afegbai, Michael Nwachukwu, Melvin Oduah, Afro-Pop Star TeeManay, A-List stylist Yolanda Okereke and behind the scenes organiser, Mrs. Joy Sillo and also graduates of Benson Idahosa University.

  • Boko Haram: NEMA donates relief materials

    Boko Haram: NEMA donates relief materials

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has presented food and other items to the military for “Operation Safe Corridor Programme’’, according to a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The statement signed by Mr Sani Datti, the NEMA Media and Public Relations officer, said that the materials were meant to de-radicalize, rehabilitate and re-integrate 800 repentant Boko Haram insurgents.

    The statement quoted the NEMA Director-General, Mr Muhammad Sidi, as saying that the initiative was in line with international best practices allowed those engaged in the fighting to voluntarily surrender and embrace peace.

    He said that NEMA would play its role in the programme by providing regular support of food and non-food items for their upkeep, to enable them to undergo rehabilitation.

    “Items to be released for this purpose every three months include 410 bags of rice, 400 bags of beans, 200 bags of millet, 200 bags of sorghum and 750 cartons of spaghetti.

    “Others are 50 cartons of maggi cubes, 810 cartons tomato paste, 101kegs of vegetable oil, 101 kegs palm oil, 50 bags of salt, 100 bags of sugar, 420 cartons of milk and 420 cartons of milo.

    “The non-food items are 800 pieces of mattress, 500 blankets, 500 pieces of nylon mats, 1,000 plastic buckets,1,000 plastic spoons, 1,000 plastic cups, 1,000 plastics plates, 1,000 plastic pairs of slippers, 2,000 men’s wear, 63 cartons of bathing soap and 1,000 bath towels.’’

    Receiving the items in Gombe, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brig.-Gen. B.M. Shafa said the initiative was designed to de-radicalize, rehabilitate and re-integrate willing and repentant Boko Haram insurgents.

    “The initiative was designed to de-radicalize, rehabilitate and re-integrate willing and repentant Boko Haram insurgents who have come out to surrender to the military.

    “The initiative will quicken the peace process in the North-East.

    Shafa said that a good number of Boko haram insurgents had surrendered between September last year and February this year.

    The statement said that 11 agencies of the Federal Government were directly involved in the Operation Safe Corridor programme.