Ogun residents defy government order on physical distancing, get food relief

Following the gradual ease of the lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari in Ogun State, residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital yesterday refused to observe social distancing and wearing of face masks order by the state government as they went about their normal business activities.

This was in spite of the state government’s announcement that it was extending the total lockdown in the state for another one week. Governor Dapo Abiodun had said that while the lockdown ends May 9, relaxation windows remain Monday, May 4; Wednesday, May 6 and Friday, May 8.

Yesterday, at many banks, markets and motor parks, many residents displayed a nonchalant attitude towards the directives of the state government to maintain social distancing and use of face mask as parts of measures to contain the spread and flatten the curve of the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, residents of Ota in Ogun State and Asejire in Oyo State recently heaved a sigh of relief when the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) commenced the distribution of food items to thousands of households across the country to help them mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

The first phase of the NBC Food Relief Intervention will see over 2,000 households in 14 locations across the country receive essential food items, including rice, noodles and cooking oil amongst others. The intervention, which commenced last Thursday in Ota and Asejire, saw 300 beneficiaries receive foodstuff with an additional 150 households each set to benefit in Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Maiduguri, Makurdi, Warri, Enugu and Minna. 
 
Two hundred households each will also get relief packages in Benin City, Owerri, Challawa and Ikeja as the NBC continues reaching out to families during these difficult times. The social interventions and volunteering campaigns is expected to run through the end of the quarter.
 
Receiving some of the household supplies on behalf of 150 families in Ota, chairman of Nice Estate Community Development Association, Pastor Eric Gbibgi-Jackson, commended the gesture by NBC.
 
Commenting on the intervention, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, NBC, Ekuma Eze, said the exercise was part of NBC’s commitment to support its host communities across the country.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been quite unbearable for many families. As a socially responsible organisation, we believe there is no better time to identify with these people across our communities than now,” he said.