ILORIN (SUNDIATA POST)- The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday in Ilorin facilitated the distribution of 25kg bags of rice to 5,000 widows across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kwara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the food item was distributed to widows and some indigents, irrespective of religious inclinations, with an undisclosed cash.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Hon. David Ifabiyi, the programme’s National Coordinator, said the food distribution was initiated by the First Lady to help those in need.
Ifabiyi, who represents Kwara in the Christian Northern Nigeria Political Forum, explained that Sen. Tinubu facilitated the programme as a goodwill towards the widows and indigents.
“It is for them to celebrate Christmas in joy and happiness.”
He noted that this has been a yearly activity by the First Lady to distribute foodstuffs to the indigents, especially the widows who have lost their husbands and breadwinners.
“The distribution is done in segments to avoid stampede which may cause death. After today, the distribution will be taken to the different LGAs in the state,” Ifabiyi said.
He also explained that Sen. Tinubu was identifying with their organisation, which was established to motivate Christians in the country, to also contribute their quota towards nation-building.
“Some Christians refuse to identify with politics because of the misconception that politics is dirty and unholy.
“But I will advise Christians that they can make a lot of difference if they practise it with the fear of God,” Ifabiyi added.
He said further that members of the organisation were from the 19 states in Northern Nigeria and fully support President Bola Tinubu and pray for the success of his administration.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Shola Abioye, the State Coordinator of the Christian Northern Nigeria Political Forum, commended Sen. Tinubu for the food distribution to widows.
He observed that this gesture would help to ensure that widows have a sense of belonging and celebrate in happiness.
Abioye noted that most of the beneficiaries have lost their husbands and have been struggling to make ends meet.
“But God will continue to provide for the indigent.”
He enjoined the beneficiaries to feed their families with the food, and pray for themselves and the leaders in Nigeria.
On his part, Mr Abel Ashafa, the representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), also commended the First Lady for the humanitarian gesture.
He prayed for guidance for the administration of President Tinubu and for him to succeed in moving the country forward.
In their remarks to appreciate the gesture, two of the beneficiaries, Mrs Esther Ogundunmade and Ranti Adelo who are widows, commended Tinubu and praying for the success of government.
They however appealed to government to continue to bring respite to Nigerians, saying “people are finding it difficult to feed on daily basis”.(NAN)
