A non-governmental organisation, Abiodun Raufu Foundation, has commenced the distribution of food items in some parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The effort is to help indigent residents to cushion the effects of the government’s coronavirus pandemic stay-at-home directive on those affected by the hardship brought upon by the lockdown.
The foundation was established for philanthropic purposes by the former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the National Mirror newspapers, and ex-Editor of Nigerian Tribune, Dr. Abiodun Raufu.
Raufu, who is currently a lecturer at Texas Southern University in the United States of America, said he decided to assist the needy by distributing the food items because it was the right thing to do during this trying period when many households are incapacitated by the lockdown.
His words: “I want to commend well-meaning Nigerians who have stepped in to assist the most vulnerable members of the society during this difficult time which reflects the Nigerian communal spirit of helping our neighbours.
“I also want to commend the administration of Engineer Seyi Makinde for the compassion that he has exhibited regarding the lockdown and I enjoin residents of Oyo State to cooperate with the government in the process of combating the coronavirus pandemic which has killed thousands of people across the world.”
The distribution of the relief materials which has since commenced in Lagelu and Akinyele local government areas of the state coincided with the beginning of the Muslim Ramadan fast.
Raufu had earlier joined hands with other indigenes of Ibadan based in Houston, Texas, United States of America under the aegis of Ibadan Descendants Union (IDU), Houston Chapter, to donate huge sums of money which is currently being distributed to Ibadan residents through some radio stations to individuals in the city to assist them.
