By Mohammed Baba Busu
April 16,2020
COVID 19: Etsu Nupe distributes food items, cash to residents.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, on Wednesday began the distribution of assorted food items and undisclosed amount of cash to indigent persons across the Bida Emirate Council.
The traditional ruler said at a brief event in his Wadata palace, Bida, that the gesture was part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people of the emirate, sequel to the hardship brought by the lock down taken to stem the raging global coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Royal Father, the items and cash were donated by philanthropic individuals within and outside the emirate.
Alhaji Abubakar also announced the formation of a five-man committee to take charge of the even distribution of the food items and money to the Intended beneficiaries across the 6 local government areas in his domain.
The members according to Etsu Nupe are, the Chairman and District Head of Edokota, Alhaji Abubakar Shaba, Alhaji Musa Ladan, Head of Administration, Federal Medical Centre, Bida as member
Other members included: Danladi Ahmad, Councilor Bida local government, Rev James Adams, Kuayekan Nupe and Alhaji Abubakar Ndako as secretary
The monarch charged the members of the committee to live above board as well as ensure fairness and fear of Almighty Allah in the discharge of the food items.
Etsu Nupe also appealed to wealthy Nigerians to assist the less privileged in the society with food items and money, so that that they would be able to observe the lock down with less stress.
“It is important that the highly placed individuals in the society should fathom out succour for the less privileged in the society.
“I want to appeal to wealthy individuals in my kingdom and beyond to assist the less privileged ones during this trying time as a result of Covid 19 pandemic
He also commended all those who have contributed to his domain, the state and indeed Nigeria, saying God Almighty will richly reward their kindness.”
The Etsu Nupe said the items included 4,000 cartons of indomie, 145 bags of rice, millets 30 bags of semovita, 25 cartons of maggi, 10 cartons of spaghetti and undisclosed amount of money.
The chairman of the committee and District Head of Edokota, Alhaji Abubakar Shaba, pledged that the items would be distributed to the targeted people through respective wards.
Alhaji Shaba, who is the traditional title holder of Barayan Nupe, called for support to enable the committee to carry out its assignment effectively.