By Gambo Jagindi
April 04, 2020
Covid-19 :NGO embarks on sensitisation, distribution of relief materials across Nigeria
A None Governmental Organisation (NGO), The Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), has embarked on sensitisation and distribution of relief materials to the vulnerable Nigerians, as the country fight the pandemic Coronavirus hitting many countries of the world.
Comrade Blessing Akinsotu, President of the NGO who made the disclosure in Abuja when he addressed newsmen on the programme, said the foundation would reach Nigerians across the six geo-political zones of the country.
NYC president said the programme, done in partnership with Sen. Andy Uba Foundation and office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on youth and student matters, was taking place in Awka andJikwoyi, a suburb of Abuja, FCT simultaneously.
NAN reports that Items distributed by the group include; hand sanitizers, face masks and some hampers of food.
He appealed to Nigerians to stay in their homes and observe social distance as well as obey guidelines released by NCDC with an urge to people of good conscience, philanthropists, businessmen and women and religious leaders to support the effort of government toward curtailing the pandemic in Nigeria
The NYC boss added that if each one helps at least one person in providing succour, the pains of the vulnerable, coupled with the effect of COVID-19 would be eliminated considerably.
In his sppech at the occasion, Dr Yakubu Shendam, Chairman, Governing Board of NYC said that the NGO, a Community Service and Social Outreach had commenced the distribution of Medical and Relief Materials.
According to him, the youth body of the NGO was coordinating the programme.
The chairman explained that distribution and sensitstion demonstrate the contribution of the NGO aimed at complementing efforts of the Federal Government in combating the spread of the deadly novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) in the country.
He said the effort was being channelled through the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to Nigerians, adding that the gesture “is expected to go round the country.”
The chairman, who likened the fight against Coronavirus to a war, expressed the commitment of the governing board of the NGO to support the Federal Government to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
He said besides the gesture, the board was also ready to support the initiatives pertaining to the distribution of the materials to ensure the realisation of the desired success in that regard.
Shendam commended NYC volunteers for their commitment and willingness to provide the desired support for the proper and effective distribution of the relief items to the masses of the country.
He also thanked the donor of the items, Sen.Andy Uba Foundation and also urged other well meaning Nigerians to support the initiatives of the organisation with more materials for the benefit of the masses in order to defeat the deadly virus.
Meanwhile, the pandemic disease has registered 1,018,107 cases,53,251 deaths while 213,218 patients have recovered as at April 3, according to world ometer.