COVID-19: Kinsmen splashes N5m on widows, vulnerable in Anambra community

No fewer than 500 widows, less privileged and the vulnerable in Ekwulobia in Aguata local council area of Anambra State benefitted from the N5million palliative donated by their kinsmen living in the United States of America and Canada.

The gesture, meant to cushion the effect of Coronavirus pandemic in the community was distributed to the various groups, with each person smiling home with the sum of N10, 000.00.

Speaking to newsmen, President of the group, Dr. Okwudili Ezeike said the gesture was individual contributions of the group.

He said they were aware of the effect of the pandemic on global economy and refused to accept the notion that their people back home were having the best of times.

He said, “The people of Ekwulobia in the United States of America and Canada were deeply concerned about the effect of the COVID 19 pandemic on their people back home in Nigeria.

“We decided to pool resources together and send to our people, especially those who are mostly affected by the lockdown.

“We feel the vicarious pains of the lockdown on them, especially the very poor and those with disabilities.

“On account of this we decided to reach out to them, however small, in order to ameliorate the pains. In doing this, we employed the services of the heads of all the nine wards in order to effectively reach those in dire need of the palliatives”.

Responding, Secretary of Umuchiana Peoples Congress, Mr. Wilson Ezeilo described the gesture as unique and the first of it’s kind in Ekwulobia.

He said the entire community was pleasantly surprised and has done its best to ensure the palliatives go to those who deserve them.

He added: “They gave us a number of people that would benefit from this programme and each kindred scrutinized its list before we came out with the poorest of the poor among us.

“For the first time also the exercise was carried out with minimal friction as everybody was happy and worked collaboratively to have it succeed.

“We see this as a laudable venture which should be encouraged because this is the first time such a thing was done without recourse to intra village rancour.”

Also speaking, chairman of Abaogwume Village of the community, Dr. Ken Akpado explained that members of the community were happy with the development, adding that it was very thoughtful of Ekwulobia sons and daughters in the US and Canada to remember the less privileged among them during the period of the lockdown.

“It is not easy for somebody or group of people to remember their brothers and sisters at home in time of need. This should be commended and we urge other bodies and organizations to emulate this kind gesture initiated by our brother and sisters in the United States of America and Canada” he said.