Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, on Saturday distributed food items to her constituents as palliatives to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the food parcels of 5kg rice and Garri were distributed in 13 local council development areas under the Lagos Central Senatorial District.
NAN reports that some of places where the palliatives were distributed included Obalende environs, Norman Williams, Cooper Road, Iru/Victoria-Island, Muri-Okunola, Jimi George, Ligali Ayorinde and Eti-Osa, among others.
Speaking during the distribution exercise in Lagos, Tinubu, represented by the All Progressives Congress Chairman, Ikoyi-Obalende, Prince Abiodun Abu, said the palliatives were distributed to reduce hardships induced by the COVID-19 lockdown.
Tinubu said the initiative was taken to put smiles on the faces of the vulnerable and unemployed citizens.
She said: “The food items include 5kg bags of Rice and Garri.
“We know that this is a trying period for everyone in the country, especially the aged people, widows and unemployed.
“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.
“Also, we know the effect the lockdown is already having on youths, especially the unemployed.”
Also, the Chairman of Iru/Victoria-Island LCDA, Rasheedat Abiodun-Adu, commended Tinubu’s efforts, saying the distribution of palliatives to the communities was to alleviate the suffering of the people.
She said: “So far, we have 5,000 palliatives to give out to vulnerable of Iru/Victoria-Island LCDA through Senator Tinubu’s kind gesture.”
Abiodun-Adu stressed the need to observe the stay-at-home order so as to stem community transmission of coronavirus.
She urged residents to adhere to all precautionary measures put in place by government in order to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Felix Olushola, 67, expressed profound gratitude to Tinubu, noting that the palliative would go a long way in feeding his family.
Olushola urged other politicians to emulate the senator by sharing palliatives in their constituencies.
Another beneficiary, Mohammed Mohammed, a physically-challenged person, lauded the gesture by alleviating the effect of the lockdown on his family.
“Since the lockdown began, l have not been able to fend for my family, therefore, it has been difficult for us,” Mohammed said.
A pregnant woman, Yetunde Abolaji, thanked Tinubu for coming to her aid, adding that it had become difficult to take care of herself and her unborn baby since the lockdown was enforced.
“I sell herbs and since the lockdown began, l stopped selling and thereby do not have any money to take good care of myself and my unborn child,” Abolaji said.