COVID-19: Senators to the rescue

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE reports on how some senators have come to the rescue of their constituents through palliatives to cushion the effect of the lockdown directed by the federal and state governments to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic

This is a challenging period for the world, which is presently battling the COVID-19 pandemic. At moment, over three million people worldwide have been infected while the virus has killed over 250,000 people. Nigeria is not left out in the COVID-19 pandemic. About 2,500 people have been infected with almost 100 deaths recorded. But in order to curb the spread of coronavirus, the federal and state governments, not only ordered a lockdown, but directed citizens to stay at home.

The decision has no doubt affected millions of Nigerians, especially the vulnerable. However, as part of measures to cushion the effects of the lockdown on the people, the federal and state governments announced palliatives for the citizens. Private individuals and organisations have also lent hands of support by providing palliatives and relief materials in terms of foodstuffs, facemasks, sanitisers and cash, among other items. Politicians, especially lawmakers at the federal and state levels were also not left out in taking care of the needs of the people.

Among politicians and public office holders, members of the Senate seem to be on the rescue mission now, considering how some of them have come to the rescue of their constituents with provision of palliatives for members of their respective senatorial districts. Apart from donating part of their salaries towards the fight against the spread of coronavirus, some senators went further by reaching out to their constituents through palliatives to cushion the effects of the lockdown on them. Among those who donated cash to their constituents are Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central), Solomon Adeola (Lagos West), Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), Bayo Osinowo (Lagos East).

Some of the senators who donated foodstuffs and other items are Senators Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), Theodore Orji (Abia Central), Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West), Ali Ndume (Borno South), Istifanus Gyang (Plateau North), Rochas Okorocha (Imo West), Bassey Albert (Akwa Ibom North- East), Hezekiah Dimka (Plateau Central), Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South), Tanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa South), Yakubu Oseni (Kogi Central), Uba Sani (Kaduna Central), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano Central), Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central), Bello Mandiya (Katsina South) and Stella Oduah (Anambra North). Some senators like Philip Aduda (FCT, Abuja) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun Central) provided both cash and foodstuffs as palliatives to their constituents.

The senators in the course of providing palliatives to the people also appealed to their constituents to continue to maintain high level of hygiene and other directives as stipulated by the Federal Government and respective state governments.

Omo-Agege doles out N85m

Leadership in every society comes with a price and this seem to be the reason while the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, came to the rescue of his constituents at a crucial time with the donation of N85 million to the people of Delta Central Senatorial district to cushion the effect of the lockdown on his constituents as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The money was disbursed to some poor, vulnerable and low-income persons across the eight local government areas that make up the Delta Central Senatorial district. The councils are; Ethiope East, Ethiope West, Okpe, Sapele, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu and Uvwie. According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, Yomi Odunuga, the distribution of the palliative, which commenced in Kokori Inland in Ethiope East Local Government Area witnessed the handing over of N5,000 cash to individuals in their homes without discrimination. It was gathered that about 17,000 households from the 85 wards in the senatorial district received the sum of N5,000 per household.

Tinubu distributes food items to constituents

In her quest to address the need of her constituents, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, also distributed food items as palliatives to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on her constituents. Senator Tinubu, who is the wife of the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, distributed food parcels of 5kg rice and garri in the 13 local governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) under Lagos Central Senatorial District.

Speaking during the distribution exercise in some parts of her senatorial district, Senator Tinubu, who was represented by APC chairman in Ikoyi- Obalende, Prince Abiodun Abu, said the palliatives were distributed to put smiles on the faces of the vulnerable and unem-ployed citizens.

“We are giving the relief materials to the vulnerable that need help at this period and to complement the efforts of the Lagos State Government,” she said. Oloriegbe donates food, preventive kits The representative of Kwara Central in the Red Chamber, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe, is not left out in giving back to his constituents as he donated foodstuff and preventive materials to people in his senatorial district in a bid to cushion the effects of COVID-19. Speaking with journalists at one of the distribution points located at Okelele area Ilorin, the state capital, Oloriegbe, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, said: “The gesture is to extend a hand of humanitarian gestures to members of his constituency with the donation of food items comprising of rice, semovita and pasta.”

The lawmaker, who was represented at the event by his office’s Director of Projects, Alhaji Jimoh Ajani, stated that “the food items which were distributed across the senatorial zone were in additions to the preventive items comprising hand sanitizers; nose masks; gloves and cash supports which were distributed a few days ago to the people of the constituents.”

Adeyemi gives food support to constituents

Senator Smart Adeyemi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, also donated food items to people of his senatorial district in order to help them cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking during the flag off of the palliative distribution at his country home in Iyara, headquarters of Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Adeyemi urged the people to evoke the spirit of communalism to battle the effects of the Corona virus in the society. His words: “I am doing this to show support to all irrespective of political parties, tribe or religion affiliations. I appeal to those in charge of the distribution to do it with fairness. This is a humanitarian gesture devoid of political, religion or tribal sentiment. I have a responsibility to those who voted for me, so nobody should sit on the relief materials. Give it to my critics, give it to those who need it. Every Igalaman, Igboman, Ebira or Hausa man who resides in our constituency must benefit.”

Ndume donates bags of rice, maize, sugar, others

Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, also distributed some food items to indigents, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and party members of his constituency as palliatives. The donation according to Senator Ndume is to cushion the effects of the COVID- 19 pandemic as well as offer support for the forthcoming Ramadan. In a statement by Ndume who is presently the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, the distributed items include 600 bags of rice, 600 bags of maize, 100 cartons of macaroni, 200 bags of sugar and undisclosed amount of cash. The Borno South Task Force Committee on COVID-19 also received cash support from the Senator to compliment their efforts.

Orji distributes food items

Lending his support to complement the efforts of the Abia State Government, Senator Theodore Orji, representing Abia Central Senatorial District, distribute 300 bags of beans and 1,240 cartons of Indomie to his constituents. Orji, according to a statement issued by its Chief Liaison Officer, Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, the bags of beans, cartons of Indomie and other palliative materials were distributed through the six local government areas that made up Abia Central Senatorial. New Telegraph gathered that ward and community leaders in the senatorial zone were at their council headquarters on Monday to take delivery of their own palliatives meant for the vulnerable in their area. It was gathered that five bags of beans and 20 cartons of indomie were given to each ward/community leaders, for onward distribution to the less privileged in their area.

Gyang distribute foodstuff to vulnerable

Senator Istifanus Gyang, representing Plateau North Senatorial District also put smiles on the faces of his constituents by distributing foodstuff to the poor and vulnerable in his senatorial district. Senator Gyang, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Protocol, Mr. Musa Ashoms, stated that the food aid was to mitigate the effects of the total lockdown of the state.

“The food aid targets widows, orphans, persons living with disabilities and youths. The food items shall be distributed simultaneously in all the six local government areas of Plateau North,” he said.

Aduda donates cash, bags of rice, facemasks

Also lending hands of support to his constituents to reduce the pain they are going through due to lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Senator Philip Aduda, representing FCT, donated 4,500 bags of rice, hand sanitizers, facemasks and cash amounting to N15million to the vulnerable groups across six councils of the FCT to assist in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in Abuja. Speaking to journalists in Abuja during the donation, Senator Aduda said that “COVID- 19 pandemic does not know political party or religion as such, the items were to be distributed to residents of the FCT irrespective of their political party, tribe or religion affiliations.”

He charged those saddled with the responsibility of distributing the essential commodities to the targeted vulnerable persons to ensure diligent and eschew primordial sentiment in the discharge of their assigned responsibilities.

“This gesture, is to cushion the effect of the lockdown by the Federal Government to curb the possible dangers of COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. It could be recalled that Senator Aduda few weeks ago also presented 1,000 bags of rice and 150 cartoons of hand sanitizers to FCT Administration and were ceremoniously received by the Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello for onward distribution across the territory.

Adeola donates N50m to constituents

As a lawmaker, representing the largest senatorial district in Nigeria, Lagos West, Senator Solomon Adeola donated N50 million for distribution among his constituents as part of relief measures. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Chief Kayode Odunaro, said the donation would be distributed across the 10 local government areas and 18 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos West Senatorial District. He said the gesture was to complement the efforts of the Lagos State Government under Babajide Sanwo-Olu in ameliorating the hardship and inconveniences of the COVID-19 lockdown. Senator Adeola noted that the disbursement was targeted at the first instance on 15,000 vulnerable individuals, families and groups, adding that beneficiaries will be receiving sums ranging from N2,500 for individuals to N250,000 for groups, based on needs.

Okorocha donates thousands of food items

Former Imo State governor and senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has also handed over thousands of food items as palliatives to 12 local government areas in his senatorial district. Okorocha, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, while giving out the food items said the palliatives were only for the vulnerable in Imo West Senatorial district, adding that the palliatives were distributed to the various local government areas from the Rochas Foundation of Africa, located around Akwakuma in Owerri, as supervised by the chairman of the palliative committee and Okorocha’s legislative aide, Steve Asimobi.

Albert donates palliatives worth millions

Senator Bassey Albert, representing Uyo Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly donated palliatives packages, which include raw foodstuff, sanitary, medical, toiletries, beverages and other essential items, to his constituents. The beneficiaries of the Albert’s larges include youths, aged men and women, clergymen, students and political leaders. He said the gesture was targeted at helping the people in the state to ease the tension as the result of the lockdown due the COVID-19. “To this end, I make this little contribution of mine with the hope that my widow’s might will provide some succour to many needy homes in our senatorial district and beyond,” he said.

Dimka doles out palliatives to constituents

In response to the need of people of his constituents base on the lockdown announced by Plateau State government as part of the measures to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the state, Senator Hezekiah Dimka, representing Plateau Central Senatorial District in the Senate donated palliatives to his constituents in trying to cushion effects of the lockdown amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dimka, who was represented by his senior legislative aide, Shehu Kanam, alongside other top aides while speaking on the lawmaker’s gesture said: “We know the plight of the poor and the vulnerable. We have 500 bags of maize to be adequately distributed geared towards addressing the extension of the lock down on the Plateau.

The palliatives are for the poorest of the poor, as government cannot afford to take care of every household. He will continue to lend his helping hands as we find a lasting way out of the corona virus pandemic that has affected lives of people.”

Almakura donates 3,000 bags of rice

The immediate past governor of Nasarawa State and the Senator representing Nasarawa South in the Red Chamber,Senator Tanko Almakura, also gave support to his constituents by donating 3,000 bags of rice as palliatives to the poorest residents of the senatorial zone. New Telegraph gathered that each of the 53 Wards in Nasarawa South Senatorial Zone was given 50 bags of rice. At the distribution of the items in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, Senator Almakura said the gesture was to cushion the impact of stay at home directive by government to curb the spread of COVID 19 pandemic. Senator Almakura said as representative of his people in the Senate, he decided to bring succor to his constituents having mindful of the hardships the people were passing through as all their means of livelihood had been disrupted due to government’s restriction order to contain the virus.

Oseni distributes rice, toiletries across five councils

Senator Yakubu Oseni, representing Kogi Central District has also provided succor to his constituents in a bid to cushion the effect of the lockdown directives of the government aimed to forestall the spread of coronavirus. Senator Oseni distributed food items and toiletries to his constituents who cut across the 57 wards of the five local government areas; Ajaokuta, Okene, Okehi, Advavi and Ogori/Magongo councils, which made up the Kogi Central Senatorial District. While handing the materials to the respective ward youth and women leaders for onward distribution, Senator Oseni warned that the target beneficiaries who are indigent constituents must not be shortchanged for any reason. “This phase of intervention is to quickly ameliorate the hardship that resulted from the regimented life that we are urged by the government to adopt in order to curb the spread of the pandemic. I sincerely empathise with you all in this trying time of momentary hardship. We all need to support government at all levels to overcome the challenge,” he said.

Sani distributes palliatives in Kaduna

The senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Uba Sani, has also reached out to his constituents as he flagged-off distribution of palliatives to two million households in the seven local government areas that makeup his constituency. While speaking at the flagging-off the distribution of the 10 trailer load of foodstuffs, Senator Sani said the gesture was aimed at cushioning the effects of the COVID- 19 pandemic on the people, especially during the Ramadan fasting period. Senator Sani who was represented at the event by his Zonal Chief Constituency Officer, Abubakar Rabiu Abubakar said: “As a result of this pandemic, which has prevented people from going out to do their lawful businesses, and the commencement of Ramadan, we felt it has become imperative to provide succour to our people. “These palliatives which include essential foodstuffs like, rice, millet, sugar and vegetable oil is targeted at two million households across the seven local government areas in Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone and it will continue for the next seven days. “Also, in view of the commencement of Ramadan fasting, the palliatives will also be targeted at religious groups, orphanages, women groups, traditional institution and vulnerable groups,” he said.

Shekarau empowers over 4,000 constituents

The former Kano State and senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, also empowered over 4,000 of his constituents by donating the sum N10,000 to each of the beneficiaries in his senatorial district as part of his contribution to cushion the effect of lockdown posed by COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Shekarau in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule, said 10 people were selected to benefit from the scheme in each of the 172 wards of the 15 local governments areas that constitute the Kano Central Senatorial District, thereby bringing a total of about 1720 beneficiaries. Sule also disclosed that over 1,300 interest groups would equally be empowered by the Senator’s intervention, adding that the intervention is part of Senator Shekarau’s annual tradition of empowering the less privileged in the state. “Use the intervention judiciously, especially now that the state battles to survive from the lockdown necessitated by Coronavirus pandemic,” Shekarau urges beneficiaries. He enjoined people to use the holy month of Ramadan to intensify their efforts in praying for God to bring an end to the pandemic.

Bamidele donates N10m to Ekiti govt

Lending support to his home state, Ekiti, the senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele donated N10 million to Ekiti State government contain the coronavirus pandemic in the state. Bamidele, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, made the disclosure of his donation to Ekiti government in a statement he issued in Abuja barely 24 hours after Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi announced an eight-man Support Account Committee to tackle COVID- 19 pandemic in the state. He said he had given directive that five million naira should be given to the state’s COVID-19 committee, while another five million naira be given to the centrally coordinated COVID-19 food Initiative in the state. “The donation is my way of identifying with the state government and the people in combating the pandemic. This patriotic zeal is an additional step after all the 109 senators had resolved to donate half of our monthly salaries to the national COVID- 19 Account,” he said.

Ekwunife distributes foodstuff

The senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Uche Ekwunife in the last few weeks have been meeting the needs of her constituents, especially the needy, poor and the vulnerable by providing palliatives for them. In continuation of her good gestures, Senator Ekwunife recently distributed another set of food items to some constituents of Anambra Central Senatorial District. In a 4th batch distribution of COVID-19 palliatives to some of her constituents in Anambra Central Senatorial District which is made up of seven local governments, Senator Ekwunife said; “Being in touch with my constituents, I know their struggles. I will continue to support them, as the nation grapples with the challenges of this pandemic.”

Osinowo donates N30m to constituents

In his quest to ameliorate suffering occasion by the COVID- 19 lockdown on his constituents, the senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District in the Red Chamber, Senator Adebayo Osinowo, donated N30million to be shared among indigent residents of the five local government areas and 11 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in his senatorial district. “I donated N30 million to ease the pains of people in all 16 Local Government and LCDA under Lagos East Senatorial District,” Senator Osinowo announced the donation through his verified Twitter handle on Friday April 10. Senator Osinowo said the sharing of the money and materials would be supervised by the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly in each local government assisted by the council officials, APC party chairmen of the each local government and Team Pepper coordinators.

Mandiya donates N30m

Senator Bello Mandiya, representing Katsina South Senatorial District donated N30million to the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts and less privileged in his constituency as Ramadan assistance. The APC Zonal Vice Chairman, Katsina South, Alhaji Bala Abu-Musawa, presented the donations to the beneficiaries last Friday in Musawa Local Government Area of the zone, on behalf of the senator. Abu-Musawa said the beneficiaries were the party ward executives across the 117 wards in the zone, local government executives in the 11 local governments and the party state executives. Others, he said, were Imams, traditional leaders and some of the identified less privileged in the zone. Abu-Musawa noted that the gesture would assist to ease hardships of the beneficiaries during the Ramadan fasting.

Amosun doles out stimulus for 25,000 families in Ogun

Also lending support to his constituents at a crucial time, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, representing Ogun Central Senatorial district, provided stimulus for 25,000 families and also donated the sum of N25million to the Ogun State government towards assisting the state in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Amosun transferred the fund into the Ogun State government designated Access Bank account titled: “Ogun State Coalition against COVID-19.” In his words, Amosun disclosed that “apart from the funds donated to Ogun State to arrest the drift of COVID-19, I will also commit some huge resources to assist my constituents in Ogun Central particularly and Ogun State in general in combating the spread of this deadly disease.”

Oduah distributes 40,000 facemasks, 20,000 gloves

Senator Stella Oduah representing Anambra North Senatorial District also donated 40,000 facemasks and 20,000 gloves to her constituents in all the seven local governments that made up Anambra North.

Musa donates bags of rice

Senator Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District distributed bag of rice to all the local governments in his senatorial districts. “I have ordered the distribution of 100 bags of rice each to all the local governments in my constituency, including soaps and detergent to ameliorate the hardship of the people and help them cope during this lockdown and control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. “My primary concern is the security and the welfare of the people. The distribution process will be transparent. The chairman of the local government councils and party executives will ensure that only the intended beneficiaries will benefit from the distribution,” he disclosed.

Onyewuchi gives soaps, sanitisers, others

Also lending hands of support for his constituency, Senator Francis Onyewuchi, representing Imo East Senatorial district, distributed soaps, sanitisers and other hygiene products to the vulnerable across his senatorial district. “The health and safety of all citizens of Imo East Senatorial District will always remain my top priority,” he said.

Ubah distributes palliatives

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, representing Anambra South Senatorial District, at the weekend distributed palliatives running to millions of naira to the good people of Anambra across the 21 local government areas in the state. The palliatives include distributed by Senator Ubah are; 26,000 bags of 5kg rice, 11,200 bags of 5kg garri, 9,400 cartons of tummy tummy noodles, 6,000 bottles of cooking oil, 32,000 bottles of hand sanitizers, 65,000 disposable face masks, 8,000 washable face masks, 2,000 bags of 25kg garri, 500 bags of 25kg rice, 42 thermometers and 62 tricycles “I am aware that this is a deeply unsettling and difficult time for my people as the disruption of their daily sources of livelihood and economic activities have incurred a huge and devastating impact on their ability to meet their most basic needs. This necessitates the need to combine public health efforts with palliative measures so as to prevent hunger/food insecurity from creating further health and social challenges in our state. “I also wish to acknowledge the Anambra Progressives with profound gratitude, for selflessly volunteering their time and resources to our noble initiative that will provide a long lasting solution to the COVID- 19 scourge and the post pandemic era; by the grace of God, our projects will be unveiled subsequently. Come what may, I will keep doing my best to touch lives positively irrespective of the precarious economic situation in the country,” Senator Ubah stated.