By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Taraba state government has commenced the distribution of relief packages to the vulnerable across the sixteen local government areas to reduce hardship during the lockdown.
The items were given by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Victims Support Fund and the North East Development Commission to reduce the effect of pandemic.
The poorest of the poor in Taraba state are the focus of a committee chaired by the Commissioner of Humanitarian and disaster management, Taninga Binga.
The items distributed include, Bags of Maize, Rice, Cartoons of Indomene, Spaghetti, Macaroni, Maggie amongst others.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to our Correspondent, express gratitude to Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku for coming to their aid, especially at this period of lockdown.
” I want to thank the governor for his concerned shown to us, thought it is not much, but it will greatly assist us at this period of lockdown”
It could be recalled that the Catholic diocese made similar distribution to Muslim, security agencies, others.
In its efforts towards fighting against the COVID 19 pandemic and reducing hardship during the lockdown, The Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese His Lordship Charles Hammawa on Wednesday distributed food items, hand sanitizers and face masks to the poor members of the Church, the security agencies, Nurses as well as the Muslim community in the state.
Hammawa who flagged off the distribution at the Pastoral centre in Jalingo noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a challenging time when charity has to be done practically more than ever before.
The Clergy noted that even though everyone is hit hard by the pandemic, some sections of the society are worst hit and even though it is not possible to reach out to all the people, it is very important to reach as many as possible even if with just a meal.
“It is a sad reality that we have come to stay with this pandemic that has turned life upside down especially for the less privileged sections of our society. Human life and value is put to the test it now shows how fleeting and transient life is. This is a time, more than ever before, to show charity in a practical ways, no matter how little.
“Diocese is reaching out to the poorest and most vulnerable in our parishes. We are also reaching out to our Muslim bothers through the Muslim Council, as well as those in the frontline such as security agencies and nurses. It is a sign that we live in solidarity. It is during such difficult times that we are called to put our faith to practical use” Hammawa said.
He urged the people to “obey constituted authorities and imbibe good hygiene while practicing social distancing” while expressing confidence that the lessons to be drawn from the COVID-19 pandemic experience would help to make the nation stronger and better, if only the leaders would genuinely chose to chart a new and better course thereafter.
Nasarawa Reporters 