In a bid to cushion the effects of the total lockdown commencing on Wednesday in Osun State, a Non-governmental Organization, Ben-Ber Foundation has distributed materials including live chickens to the people with disabilities in the state.
The materials, which include nose covers, anti-bacterial hand washing soaps, sanitizers and live chickens were given to the leadership of the five groups that make up Joint Association of People with Disabilities in Nigeria, Osun State chapter in Osogbo, on Tuesday, March 31.
The five groups are Visually impaired people, represented by Akinsola Akeem; Albino group represented by Lukman Adewale; Spinal Cord Injury group represented by Olayemi Lucky, Physically Challenged, Alh Tadese Ismail and; Deaf and dumb Adeleke Jeleel.
Speaking at the distribution parley, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs Funmi Abokede revealed that the motive behind the gesture was to cushion the effect of the total lockdown on the people with disabilities.
She said the foundation, which is reputable for helping the less privileged in the society, shares from the pains and challenges facing the people with disabilities, who according to her will be worse hit by this order.
“What we’re doing today is in continuation of the legacy of Late Chief Alake Kolade, the Iyalode of Osogbo and her husband, Late Benjamin Kolade who founded this organization. We’re here today to distribute relief materials to the people with disabilities who’re going to be worse hit by the lockdown order.
“The materials here are not only hygienic items but also food item. This is to compliment the effort of our state government under the able leadership of Mr Gboyega Oyetola, who has taken the lead in combating this deadily coronavirus.
Abokede called on well-meaning Nigerians to join the government in ameliorating the impacts of the lockdown, which she also regarded as a good stem from the government.
“I want to call on well-meaning Nigerians, wealthy individuals and corporate establishments to ensure that they give palliative materials to vulnerable people in the community.
“I want to call on wealthy individuals, corporate organizations and other well-meaning Nigerians to compliment the effort of the government in fight the spread of coronavirus. Most importantly, people need to get food stuffs during this period. Let’s help people at this trying time,” she said.
In his remark, the state Chairman of people with disabilities, Mr Kehinde Onitiju applauded the intervention of the foundation, adding that it will go a long way in relieving the beneficiaries.
Onitiju appeal to other well-meaning individuals in the society to emulate the kind gesture of Ben-Ber Foundation, which he said has been fantastic in helping the needy.
Leaders of the five groups also took turns to show the appreciation to Mrs Abokede and the foundation for remembering them during this hard period.
They appealed to individuals to help them as they will be badly hit by the lockdown order.
Items were also taken to the headquarters of the Nigerian Police, Osun State Command, Osogbo.
