Tunji Adedeji
Following the negative effect of corona virus pandemic lockdown in Imo State, a renowned historian and a respected community leader in Owerri North council area, Chief Amanze Njoku , on Friday put smiles on the faces of hundreds of women from Umuahu village in Orji autonomous community by distributing palliative worth a whopping sum of money to cushion the effects of the lockdown on his people .
Presenting the relief material to the beneficiaries at his country home in Umuahu village, Orji LGA, Chief Njoku, said he had to donate the items to help relieve some burdens the people are bearing in these difficult times.
He advised them to wash their hands regularly, observe social distancing and obey all government regulations rolled out in the fight against the pandemic.
The soft spoken historian fondly called Anyamepere Uzo Ndi Owerri by friends and well wishers described the gesture as a pro-masses programmes designed to banish hunger and support the prosperity government of Governor Hope Uzodinma and his good friend Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chiji Collins.
He maintained that the welfare of his people was a priority and not an option, adding that such gesture would continue even after the Covid -19 pandemic because some of the beneficiaries were vulnerable citizens who must be supported by any serious government and wealthy individuals.
According to him,””The essence of this is to also support and compliment the State government in our little way. God had used us to empower some of our people. We will not relent on this to ensure that every household in Umuahu village in Orji benefits from this gesture.”
In her remarks, Chief Mrs Confidence Njoku PHD .an erudite scholar told women that her husband and herself was concerned about the spread of coronavirus in the state.
The amiable wife of the renowned historian called on Imolites to stay safe and practice social distancing in order to defeat the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Public Health expert called on the beneficiaries to put the items to good use.
Another community leader, Obingaya Innocent Njoku in his speech commended the philanthropic gesture of Chief Amanze Njoku. He applauded him for taking the welfare of his people as priority. He begged his people to take social distancing more seriously as cases have now passed the 1,000 mark in Nigeria.
Earlier in her remarks, the President of Umuahu Village Women, Orji expressed appreciation to the donor for donating to her fellow women, saying it has brought smiles on their faces.
Those in attendance were Obingaya Thomas Njoku, Obingaya Emma Oguchuruba among others too numerous to Mention. The items distributed include bags of garri, tubers of yam among others.
