Former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Olu Bajowa (rtd), has donated more than 9,000 food packages, face masks and cash to residents of Okitipupa Local Government Area in Ondo State to cushion the effect of the lockdown in the state.
Bajowa, who is the Jagunmola of Ikaleland, said the gesture was to identify with his people in Okitipupa area, especially during this challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newsmen report that the palliatives include rice, beans, salt, groundnut oil, noodles and face masks, sanitisers and a cash token to the beneficiaries, who are the elderly and widows.
Most of the traditional rulers in the council area also had cash donations from the former permanent secretary.
The distribution of the palliatives started from the ancient town of Igbotako, where residents got 3,000 food packages and 6,000 face masks.
He urged the people to abide by the directives of the federal and state governments by staying at home, regular washing of hands; maintaining social distancing and wearing of face mask, if they must go out.
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He said that he hoped the palliatives would go a long way in cushioning the hardship of the people in the efforts by the government to contain the spread of the virus.
Bajowa also appealed to Ikale indigenes in the country and in diaspora to extend a hand of compassion to the indigent to complement the effort of the state government.
The Majuwa of Moribodo kingdom, Oba Adeoye Idepefo, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, commended the retired military officer for considering the Ikales at this time.
He said the Ikales were proud of him because the gesture meant a lot to them.
NAN
