The Olowo of Owo; Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, has assisted thousands of vulnerable residents of his Kingdom with cash palliatives; stressing that the essence of life was to help others in need.
While distributing the pallatives on Wednesday at his palace,Oba Ogunoye said it was courtesy of the World Council of Owo Associations, WOCOA; a Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organization that is made up of Owo indigenes and friends of Owo all over the United States of America. The cash palliatives; which ran into millions of naira was given to support the needy and attend to the well-being of vulnerable residents of Owo.
He explained that the assistance was necessary because so many indigenes are unable to go about their normal duties during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is the 11th or 12th time we are doing this. It is quite satisfactory that our people who are based in USA have decided to help their brothers and sisters back home.”
“There is no reason some people will have in abundance and will not be able to assist others, particularly this period.”
“I am using this opportunity to appeal to the sons and daughters of Owo to have the heart of sympathy and extend their hands of assistance to the less privileged,” he said.
Acknowledging the harsh effects of the Covid-19 on the welfare of the people, the President of WOCOA, Mr Idris Adeniseun, and the General Secretary, Pastor Kehinde Alamudun, in a signed statement by the duo; said the distribution of the monetary palliative was done in the spirit of relieving the beneficiaries from the financial stress caused by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the attendant burden and hardship created by the lockdown.
Speaking with Presentng, High Chief Olanrewaju Famakinwa, the Ojumu of Owo, described the gesture as a lofty one, and prayed for the progress of the association for organising the event.
“They have remembered their fathers and mothers at home in Owo that needs assistance. I pray that God will continue to bless them and they shall return home safely.”
“While the money is not so much, it is better for it to be little than nothing. We also pray that the beneficiaries make use of it correctly,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, a beneficiary, Mrs Tokunbo Adeboye; who came to collect the cash palliative on behalf of her aged mother; expressed gratitude for the gesture, which she said, would be greatly appreciated by her mother.
(©) PRESENT NIGERIA