Demsa ( Adamawa) – An Adamawa-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Best Agenda, has distributed food and non-food items worth millions of naira to people living with leprosy in Sabon Gari Leprosy Centre in Demsa Local Government Area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items included bags of rice, detergents and clothes.
Alhaji Ahmed Lawal, the Director-General of the organisation, said at the presentation of the items on Tuesday that the gesture was to identify with, assist and show love to members of the community.
Lawal said that the organisation chose to visit the centre to give the community a sense of belonging in the society.
“We are here to present food and non-food items to you and to identify and celebrate Christmas with you,” Lawal told members of the community.
Receiving the items on behalf of the community, Mr Benos Sagba, Vice Chairman, National Leprosy Association, Adamawa Chapter, expressed satisfaction at the gesture and thanked the organisation.
He appealed to the state government to provide social amenities for the community, saying that the community was in need of schools, electricity, potable water and good roads.
In his remarks, Mr Stephen John, Secretary, Adamawa State Agency for Control of Aids, Leprosy and Tuberculosis, noted that the centre was established in 1952 to care for people suffering from leprosy.
John urged other organisations to assist the less privileged, especially people living with leprosy.
Mrs Wale Fwa, Chairman, Demsa Local Government Council, also expressed delight at the donation.
Fwa, represented by Mr Hinfro Voro, the Supervising Councillor of Health, urged the community to ensure that the donated items would reach those they were meant for.