COVID-19: Ilorin palliative c’ttee amasses N45.6 million in 11 days
The Ilorin Emirate Palliative Committee raised by the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-gGambari on Monday said it has generated N45,644,548 within 11 days.
The committee, co-headed by a chief of the Ilorin Emirate, Yahaya Alapasanpa and National President of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, Uthman Baba, were tasked to generate and share items collected from philanthropist to the most poor and vulnerable people living within the Emirate.
Read full statement as obtained by THE INFORMANT247 below;
1.0 Introduction
On behalf of His Royal Highness, Maimartaba, Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, CFR, we want to express deep appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the Ilorin Emirate Palliatives Fund and those who have also donated food items in support of the palliatives exercise. There is no doubt that this exercise has brought us together again as one united people with a common and unique destiny, as we have continued to exhibit the natural milk of human kindness in us. His Royal Highness will personally acknowledge everyone’s contribution at the most appropriate time after the exercise.
2.0 Ilorin Emirate Palliatives Fund
As at Saturday, 25th April 2020, the Fund has generated the sum of forty five million six hundred and forty four thousand five hundred and forty eight Naira (N45,644,548). We have also received two hundred and fifty two (252) bags of 50kg rice.
3.0 Categories and Number of Beneficiaries of the Palliatives
Taking into consideration the Government’s directives on Lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, coupled with the period of Ramadan and based on the fund and food available, it was decided that vulnerability of a person at this trying period should be the main criterion for the choice of beneficiaries of the palliatives. The most vulnerable persons who are the poorest of the poor include the following:
A. Aged/Elderly Needy
B. Weak and Sick Needy
C. Widows without means of livelihood
D. Physically Challenged Needy
In deciding the categories and number of beneficiaries, consideration has been given to the total number of wards in the five (5) Local Government Areas in the Emirate and due attention has been paid to varied population distribution of the wards.
In the first phase of the distribution of the palliatives, ten thousand (10,000) persons would be given the stimulus in each of the sixty nine (69) wards across the five (5) Local Government Areas in the Emirate.
Special attention would be given to persons with physical disabilities. Their packages would be given to them through their association. Sick persons on admission in the hospital and inmates in correctional centres would also be given special attention.
The distribution of the palliatives would cut across indigenes and non-indigene residents in the Emirate. This will also cut across religious belief.
4.0 Generation, Authentication and Confirmation of List of Beneficiaries
Five layers of checks have been put in place in each ward to generate names of beneficiaries. The details elicited from each beneficiary include full name, gender, compound name and phone number. The list of names generated in each ward is to be authenticated and confirmed by each of the five layers of check. The five layers are:
i. The most senior emirate recognised traditional title holder (Balogun/ Daudu/Alangua/Magaji/etc) in the ward
ii. The most senior Imam of traditional (Ratibi) mosque in the ward
iii. The Executive of the IEDPU in the ward
iv. The Community Development Association in the ward
v. The Youth Association in the ward (IEYDA/etc)
The Emir has communicated with all the traditional title holders in the Emirate, and through them to all Imams of traditional mosques to ensure the success of the exercise, while the President of the IEDPU has equally directed that all EXCO of the Union in all the wards should cooperate fully with the handlers of the programme. All Community Development Association and Youth groups have been urged to ensure the success of the exercise.
From the lists already received, there is an indication that His Royal Highness’ directives and the various advisories are being adhered to.
The ward layers of check are to ensure fairness and equity in the generation of names, while also giving priority to the poorest of the poor who have not benefitted from recent similar exercises carried out, or being carried out by the Federal and State Governments, corporate bodies, organisations and individuals.
5.0 Food Items to be distributed
Having considered the period of Ramadan and ease of packaging and distribution of food items, four (4) varieties of foodstuff have been procured for distribution as follows :
i. Semovita (Semo) – 5kg per person
ii. Rice (Iresi) – 5kg per person
iii. Beans (Eere) – 5kg per person
iv. Maize/Millet/G-Corn (Oka-baba) – 5kg per person
6.0 Commencement of Distribution of the Palliatives
His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari will flag off the exercise with a symbolic distribution of the palliatives to selected beneficiaries at the palace on Tuesday, 28th April 2020, after which the first phase of distribution will fully commence.
7.0 Adherence to standard advisory on COVID-19
It is expected that the standard advisory on COVID-19 as issued by the Government and Health Agencies and Organisations would be strictly complied with and adhered to during this exercise by all persons associated with the programme. All persons must keep the highest level of hygiene, including the washing of hands with soap and running water, keep social distance and wear face mask and gloves, while those who do not have anything to do with the exercise should please stay at home.
8.0 Second Phase of the Palliatives Exercise
It is planned that the second phase of the exercise for another set of beneficiaries would be carried out immediately at the end of the first phase and this would be dependent on available fund.
9.0 Conclusion
His Royal Highness, Maimartaba, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari urges all indigenes and residents of the Emirate to cooperate fully with the handlers of the exercise to ensure the success of the programme. The Emir also urges that everyone should use the period of the holy month of Ramadan to pray to the Almighty Allah to show His mercy on the world and end the pandemic in earnest. The Emir thanks the Federal, State and Local Governments, Corporate Bodies, Organisations, Agencies and Individuals for their various humanitarian efforts aimed at cushioning the effect of the current lockdown.
Maa Salam.
