Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) on Wednesday donated N3 million for food and procurement of essential items to patients of coronavirus (COVID-19) disease across the South-Western states and Kwara and Kogi states.
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, who is also the group’s national coordinator, said the palliative was aimed at assisting the governments in ensuring better treatment for all patients that have been receiving treatments at the various isolation centres across the states.
Iba Adams stated that the new measure became imperative following the intervention and initial efforts of members of Oodua Progressive Union, the sister organisation of the OPC in the Diaspora, that donated funds and food items during the first phase of the palliative.
Adams expressed concern over the rise in cases of infection across the world, especially in Nigeria.
He urged government at all levels to look inward by using traditional remedy to curtail the spread of the deadly disease as it was done in Madagascar.
The Yoruba leader also said the second phase of the palliative was done with the intention to keep faith with the group’s ideology, saying it was the best way to extend the group’s hands of generosity to COVID-19 patients in the South West and beyond.
Adams said: “It all began when members of OPU across all the 87 countries in the world contributed over N5 million for palliative for victims of COVID-19.
“That gesture came at a time when the lockdown was at its peak.
“The funds were meant for the procurement of essential items such as food items and other necessities for the patients that have been receiving treatments at the isolation centres across the six states of the South West and Kwara and Kogi States.
“So, the feedback we got from the first phase of the palliative was remarkable and it was the success that led to the second phase, with the OPC contributing voluntarily across board to make the sacrifice.”
Aare Adams explained further that the group had earlier inaugurated the COVID-19 Palliative Committee that sees to the distribution of funds for the procurement of other essential items.
Similarly, OPC’s Publicity Secretary, Yinka Oguntimehin, said the donation was necessary and timely.
Oguntimehin said: “With this rare gesture, we have demonstrated great commitment and unprecedented gesture of charity to humanity.
“It is on record that the OPU was the first group in the diaspora to extend their hands of generosity to Nigerians.
“And interestingly, the OPC as a group with over six million members in Nigeria has done its part by making significant impact as one of the groups in the country to have donated generously towards alleviating the suffering of the people.”
