The people of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area have commended Governor Willie Obiano for the two hundred bags of Rice donated to them.


The community also appreciated the kind gesture by the Ndi Ojoto living in the diaspora for donating food items to them to cushion the effect of stay at home order by the State Government necessitated by corona-virus pandemic.


Correspondent Emengini Osadebe who monitored distribution of the food items at Ezieke and Umuchem villages reports that the traditional ruler of Ojoto, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, personally supervised the distribution exercise in company of members of his cabinet.


On arrival at Igwe Mbamalu’s palace, all present were tested and made to wash their hands and apply sanitizer before onward movement into the venues.


Addressing the gathering at Ezieke and Umuchem villages, Igwe Mbamalu said they received the bags of rice from the government while other food items were from the donations of over Sixteen Million naira they received from Ojoto people in the indiaspora saying that the food items were not for Ojoto people alone as it will be extended to other people living in the Community.


Igwe Mbamalu while demonstrating the social distancing method to the people, urged them to adhere strictly to all the directives of the state government for them to stay alive.


Also speaking, the President-General, Ojoto Akasasato Union, Chief Donatus Anozie who appreciated the Governor for his magnanimity and Ojoto people in the diaspora for remembering their community at this time of need, stressed the need for the people to maintain a good personal hygiene for their own good.


In separate interviews, the Chairman of Ezieke village Mr Christian Ofoma, his Umuchem counterpart Chief Anthony Akunne and that of Ire Village Mr Martin Obika said the food items will go a long way in giving the people a lease of life and thanked the Governor and Ojoto people in the diaspora for putting smiles on the faces of the people.


The Vicar in charge of Saint Mark’s Anglican Church Ojoto, Reverend Sunday Nnalue thanked the Governor for his efforts towards preventing COVID 19 pandemic from entering the State while commending Igwe Mbamalu and Ojoto people in the diaspora for extending their kind gesture to the downtrodden.


Some of the non indigenes who benefitted from the exercise, including Mr. Josiah Ogbonna and Mrs. Joy Ferdinand, thanked the Ojoto community for remembering them while some of the indigenes including Mrs. Veronica Okeke, Chief Francis Izunwanne and Mr. Benjamin Nwokedi expressed gratitude to God for the gift and prayed God to bless the donors.