Amid rising economic hardship and hunger across the country, a non-governmental organisation, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement, has distributed free food and drinks to about 11,000 less privileged residents in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The outreach, tagged Operation Feed the Needy, was carried out at the weekend across different parts of the metropolis, including Old Town, Borikiri, Okrika Waterside, Creek Road, Diobu, D-Line, GRA Phase 2 and Trans-Amadi/Old Slaughter while popular Isaac Boro Park served as the distribution centre for the Diobu axis.

Leader of the group, Idaere Gogo Ogan, said the initiative was driven by the need to show love, empathy and support to vulnerable persons struggling with the current economic realities.

According to him, while some citizens can still afford three meals daily, many others find it difficult to secure even one meal.

He explained that the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement was founded about eight years ago to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development and assistance to the poor and hungry in society.

He said, “On the platform, we have close to 260 persons who contributed to this effort. We also have government officials on the platform. We are responsible citizens and we understand that being privileged comes with responsibility.
“If you can still afford three square meals daily in this period of economic hardship, then you have a duty to support those who are poor and desperate in society,”

Ogan disclosed that the group had fed over 61,000 persons since the initiative began six years ago, noting that the least number of beneficiaries recorded in any edition was 10,000.

“We started this exercise about six years ago and the least number of persons we have fed at every outing is 10,000. Today alone, we targeted 11,000 persons.

“The reports reaching us from the various locations show that the exercise was successful. We are also using this opportunity to encourage other individuals and groups to support the needy in society,” he added.

The group divided itself into five teams , Alpha, Bravo, Charly, Delta and Jolly squads to ease distribution across the city.

The Jolly Squad, which covered the Diobu axis, reportedly spent more than four hours distributing food to beneficiaries, comprising youths, elderly persons and children.

One of the beneficiaries, Victoria Udoh, expressed appreciation to the group for the gesture and prayed for members of the organisation.

Another beneficiary, Joshua Thomas, commended the initiative and expressed interest in joining the group.