Yemisi Izuora
About 10,000 households in Kwara are to benefit from a palliative measure put in a place to cushion the effect of the lockdown occasioned by coronavirus pandemic by an industrialist cum philanthropist, Dr Kamoru Yusuf.
Yusuf is the Group Managing Director/CEO of KAM Holding, a leading manufacturer of Iron and Steel products in Nigeria.
The distribution of 10,000 bags of 5kg rice to communities in Kwara commenced in Ilorin before moving to Oke-Onigbin and other villages in Isin local government areas of the state on Sunday.
While making the presentation, Akinloye Ibrahim, who represented Yusuf, noted that the gesture will serve as palliatives to cushion the effects of lockdown imposed in the state due to the outbreak of COVID-19 as well as the commencement of Ramadan fasting by Muslim faithful.
Ibrahim explained that the gesture is also aimed at supporting widows, orphan, vulnerable and less privileged with no religions discrimination.
He advised beneficiaries to observe social distancing during collection stressing that, “We hope to continue to put smiles on the face of the needy as part of our efforts towards giving back to the society by fighting hunger and poverty.
One of the traditional rulers who received the donation on behalf of his community is Oba Kamaldeen Omotayo, the Onigbin of Oke-Onigbin.
The Monarch thanked the industrialist cum philanthropist for the gesture, saying it was not his time that of doing the donation but this year’s edition is very important because of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My people have been for this, because that his (Dr Yusuf) usual practice every year.
“The joy this donation has brought cannot be underestimated because people are asked to stay at home to stop the spread of the dreaded Corona Virus.
“We pray God Almighty will continue to uplift him and his business” Oba Omotayo said.
The Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede, who prayed fervently for Yusuf, described the industrialist as a friend of the masses.
“Yusuf is someone that has always identified with the masses, I am very pleased with the gesture on behalf of my people.
“We have asked them to stay indoor so as not to violate the lockdown order if not you could have seen the joy in them.
“The donation is coming at a very critical period of the year when the world is ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic” Oba Oloyede said.
The Olusin of Ijara-Isin, Oba Omoniyi Banigbe, in his reaction to the donation thanked Yusuf for his outsatdning gesture and described him as a philanthropist per excellence whose love for the masses remained firm and consistent.
One of the beneficiaries, Aminu Olaitan, corroborated the position of the monarchs joining them in explaining that it was not the first time he will reach out to the people of the community especially during the festive period.
“During the Muslim festive period, he will reach out to people and do same to the Christians at the celebration season too.
“In fact, we have been expecting it because we knew he will touch the lives of many during this lockdown” Olaitan said.
He was of the view that the people in the urban areas are more in need of palliatives than those in the rural areas because they are predominantly farmers whose means of livelihood have not been seriously affected.