By Our Reporter
The welfare of people in this trying moment of COVID-19 pandemic should be the primary concern of every society. It is also quite interesting that some orthodox Associations have decided to shoulder the burden of reaching the poorest of the poor with palliatives. This is to help cushion the hardship people are faced with in this lockdown and complement government’s efforts towards curbing the spread of the virus. Suffice to mention but the least, is the recent steps taken by the Ngas Development Association [NDA], to reach people who are in dear need of help in its locality, following Government’s order for people to stay at home which to a large extend, has given hope to the categories of members in Pankshin and Kanke Local Government Areas. Of course, the essence of establishing the association from day one was primarily to see how the welfare of its people could have a positive turn around. Apart from just promoting the rich cultural heritage of its people, it has also other aspects to contend with that could ensure the living condition of members, especially at this trying moment. And so, it so did when the association coughed out over Four Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Seven Naira [N4,247M] to have this volume of food items for distribution to the nine communities across the two LGA. The occasion in compliance with the Social Distancing directives was strictly low keyed with very few personalities including the respective representatives of the selected communities. This really demonstrated how focused and concerned the present leadership is to the plight of its members which no doubt, was not far from the established dream behind this association which was to foster the spirit of love, brotherhood and togetherness as well as to encourage communal help efforts among them as the umbrella body playing its role. Truly, it was what could best be described as a pull at the heartstrings to these beneficiaries, when their hope was suddenly rekindled by gesture. Accordingly, the sharing of over 1034 tubers of yam, 134 bags of maize, 29 bags of beans, 19 bags of guinea corn, cassava flour, crates of eggs and 44 cartons of maggi cube with lots of some preventive materials, were adequately done based on the number of communities involved-Pankshin town, Kabwir, Amper, Ampang, Wokkos, Garam, Fier, Kadung, Tapshin and other essential Staff respectively. It may interest you to also know that, similar steps were earlier taken before now using all means of awareness to educate people on the possible ways of being infected by this dreaded virus by observing Social Distancing/Regular Hand washing and was effectively done across nooks and crannies of these communities. To give it no chance, NDA swiftly engaged the Political, Community and Religious Leaders as well as home base associations in the provision of some sensitive preventive materials such as Face-marks, Hand sanitizers, detergent and water cans. Presenting the items to the various District Heads of these communities on behalf of NDA at the Vel Sunset Event Center in Pankshin LGA of Plateau State, the Catholic Bishop of Pankshin Diocese, His Lordship, Michael Gokum, commended NDA taken the wise decision to help its people out of the unfortunate situation and prayed God to continue to give them the wisdom to do more for the development of humanity. Earlier, the President General, Engr. Gonen Gofwen, said, “as law abiding citizens who believed in the Lockdown order of Government at all levels, considering the level of compliance in these communities, we thought it wise to extend a helping hand to the poor and vulnerable children across Ngas land. This is because the pandemic has made all activities grounded and the poor are left to feast with the rats”. He explained further that, they were able to set up a committee headed by one Matwok Godiya Khitgak’ah, to raise funds and they were able to realize over N4,247,000M, to purchase these items and distribute them across to their people at this lockdown to at least, reduce the difficulties people were into as a result of lockdown caused by this dreaded disease ravaging the world. The President commended the Committee Members for their prudence in carrying out this assignment to see to the welfare of their people. He also appreciated spirited Sons and Daughters of the land for the huge sacrifice and prayed that, this pandemic would disappear sooner for economic activities to bounce back to normal. While reacting to the decision of Federal Government on using traditional ways as an alternative means of fighting COVID-19 pandemic, Engr. Gofwen, “I am a traditional man, an advocate of such decision and would support whatever means that will save the lives of our people or bring life to normalcy. The decision is quite a welcomed one and I believe it is possible”. On his part, the State Commissioner of Higher Education, Hon. Katmene Goteng Audu, appreciated the commitment of the Sons and Daughters of the land and other spirited individuals who within their widow’s might donated towards achieving this great effort. He said, “you see, in fact that is part of keeping these people alive. Some people are so poor that even daily bread could be hard to get. You see, out of the poor, there are poorest among the poor and when these people were given these palliatives, you need to see how happy they were expressing joy that they were remembered at this trying moment. I think, it is a welcomed development!”. In compliance with the Social Distancing directive, the occasion witnessed few personalities among who were the Catholic Bishop of Pankshin Diocese, His Lordship, Michael Gokum, the Plateau State Commissioner of Higher Education, Hon. Katmene Goteng Audu, Council Chairmen of Pankshin and Kanke LGAs, Hon. John Daman, represented by his Deputy Evangelist Sam Mbok and Hon. Emmanuel Lar, as well as all elected and appointed Representatives, Traditional Leaders, Youth Leaders and Women Leaders respectively. The expression on their faces was glaringly of “wow! Here comes new approach”. In a nutshell, there is no denying the fact that, the advent of this pandemic has exposed to many the true test of what a leader is, a leader who could be selfless and concerned about the welfare of his people. This, really, defines the bond of brotherhood and it should be emulated by other orthodox Associations across the Country. It is our hope that, more of this should continue to help the Less-privileged among us to feel a sense of belonging like any other citizen. We will continue to pray that this COVID-19 Pandemic shall be a thing of the past and together we shall rise again and make our country great.
Nasarawa Reporters 