Flooding: Edo govt receives relief materials from Afenmai World Congress

L-R: Representative of the President and Public Relations Officer, Afenmai World Congress (AWC), Mr Columbus Inuwonu, Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon, with other members of AWC and traditional rulers from the benefiting communities, during donations of relief materials to communities affected by flooding in Edo North Senatorial Zone of Edo State, by AWC at the weekend.

THE Edo State Government on Saturday received relief materials worth N1.6 million from the Afenmai World Congress (AWC), for onward distribution to communities affected by flooding in Edo North Senatorial District.

The items received include 35 bags of rice, 45 bags of garri, 25 cartons of Indomie, 18 bags of salt, 50 cartons of washing soap, 100 packs of 50cl bottle water and 216 packs of 75cl bottle water.

Receiving the materials on behalf of the state government, at Ekperi, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Hon Yakubu Gowon, commended the association for the gesture.

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He said, “Few months ago, some communities in the state especially communities close to the River Niger belt experienced unprecedented floods that rendered some people homeless. Following this, the state government relocated some persons to camps where they were provided with materials and made a request for assistance from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

“Few organisations responded and we are happy today that AWC decided to provide humanitarian aid to the victims despite the fact that the camp has been officially closed,” he added.

Gowon assured members of AWC that the items would be distributed to the victims who have been resettled in their communities.

President, AWC, Dr David Iyalomhe, said the donation was part of the association’s efforts to support the socio-economic advancement of Afenmai land, Edo State and Nigeria.

Iyalomhe, who was represented by the organisation’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Columbus Inuwonu, listed the benefiting communities to include: Agenebode/ Unuedegor, Anegbette/South Uneme, Udaba/Ekperi, Uzanu and Warake.

He added, “We commend the timely intervention of the Governor Obaseki led-administration for providing timely assistance, temporary shelter and food to the affected people and communities in Afenmai land.

“AWC looks forward to partnering with the Obaseki administration in executing educational and other developmental projects that will benefit people of various communities in the state.”

Speaking on behalf of the benefitting communities, the Onogie II of Osomegbe-Ekperi, Chief John Musa, described the support from the state government as unprecedented. He commended the AWC for showing love to the people affected by the flooding.

S-Davies Wande