By Joe Adedeji, Ilorin
An IlorIn based industrialist has given palliatives to cushion the harsh effects of COVID-19 lockdown to 10,000 households in Kwara State.
The industrialist, Alhaji Kamoru Yusuf who is the Group Managing Director/CEO of KAM Holdings; manufacturers of iron and steel products made the gesture in Isin Local Government Area of the State yesterday.
Kwara State Government had last week extended the total lockdown of the State for another fourteen days which made its effects harsher on the people especially in the areas of food.
The distributions which included 5kg bags of rice was flagged off in Iwo-Isin; his country home on Sunday morning before moving to other communities in the Council Areas.
While making the presentation, Akinloye Ibrahim, who represented the industrialist, noted that the gesture would serve as palliatives to cushion the effects of lockdown imposed on the state due to the outbreak of COVID-19 as well as the commencement of Ramadan fasting by Muslim faithful.
Ibrahim said the gesture was also aimed at supporting widows, orphans, vulnerable and the less privileged with no religious or ethnic discrimination.
He advised beneficiaries to observe social distancing during collections saying “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, Oba Kamaldeen Omotayo; the Nogbin of Oke Onigbin who received the donation on behalf other monarchs thanked the industrialist for the gesture.
He said the donation from the industrialist was not his first time but pointed out this year’s edition was very peculiar because of the harsh effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My people have been enjoying his kind heartedness in the past. The joy this donation has brought cannot be overestimated because people are asked to stay at home to collect it in order 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 and chairman of Isin Traditional Council who prayed fervently for Alhaji Yusuf, described him as a friend of the masses.
“Dr 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.
One of the beneficiaries, Aminu Olaitan, corroborated the position of the monarchs joining them to say that it was not the first time he would reach out to the people of the community especially during the festive periods.
“During the Muslim festive period, he will reach out to people and do same to the Christians at their 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.