Following the negative economic effect of the on-going 14-day lockdown of economic and social activities in Lagos State and its impact on the livelihood of Lagosians, particularly the low income earners, residents of Ikorodu GRA Phase 2, Zone A have donated essential food items to over 40 vulnerable households in the community.
The exercise which took place at the Zone’s main entrance gate on Sunday, 5th April has been widely commended by beneficiaries as a worthy charity initiative and a reflection of the love and caring disposition of residents of the estate.
Beneficiaries of the food support were mainly the aged, widow, unemployed, retired senior citizens and the low-income earners who live within the Zone A.
Ikorodu Oga Radio correspondent witnessed the food packaging and distribution exercise and reports that the contents of the food packs were richly packed with essential food items namely, rice, beans, garri, semovita, spaghetti, vegetable oil, eggs with freshly baked and Yale brand loaves of bread. This package has been described as richer than the emergency food relief packs provided by the State government.
Over 40 beneficiaries of the resident’s gesture came in an organised manner to pick their packs, with strong adherence to the social distancing order. Beneficiaries were also made to wash their hands and apply sanitizers before partaking in the food distribution exercise.
As a demonstration of good neighbourliness, the gesture was also extended to some residents of other zones within the G.R.A Phase 2 namely, Zones B, C, D and E who were full of praises to the Zone A executive for their benevolence and show of love.
Speaking with Ikorodu Oga Radio, one of the brains behind the initiative, Mr Wasiu Asha stated that, ‘the idea behind the initiative was to identify with residents who are currently affected by the lockdown. We realised that fingers are not equal, so we decided that those of us who are a bit comfortable among us should bring little from what they have to support other residents who don’t have enough, so that they too can have have something to eat’, he said.
Speaking on how funds was raised for the exercise, Mr Asha stated that the exercise was meant to be low-key but, it was became elaborate through the generous contributions and supports of residents who saw the initiative as a lofty idea, thereby donating more funds and food items to the pool.
An elder in the community, Otunba Shola Mogaji described the conception of the initiative as something that started like a joke, until it became a major exercise. ‘I commend those behind this initiative, for the foresight of the elders in this community. The exercise is meant to promote harmony within our zone. We believe that, if some residents are hungry and others have more than enough, it is a threat to communal harmony’.
Another resident who simply gave his name as Elder Ojukwu noted that the main lesson of the Covid 19 lockdown was that it has helped to promote the spirit of giving, which according to him was the right way to live as neighbours, even after the lockdown is over.
One of the beneficiaries, an aged resident, Mrs Olufunmilayo Onakoya expressed shock at the exercise. She stated that, she was on her way to buy some things when she ran into the distribution exercise. She expressed joy at the show of love, and prayed for those behind the exercise.
Another beneficiary, Mr Wale Bello, a resident of Zone C commended the leadership of Zone A for providing the food support to indigent residents.
‘I want to thank the leadership of Zone A for this unique support at this critical time. I am grateful that they remember us in zone C and extended their hand of love to us. I commend them for supporting those of us who need help at this challenging time. And, I also want to charge other Zones within the estate to emulate the leadership of Zone A by sponsoring similar initiative’, he said.
