The General Overseer of the Resurrection Praise Ministries for Africa, Archbishop Samson Benjamin has admonished the federal government to use the €50 million COVID-19 donation by the United Nations (UN) as palliative measures for the masses.
Benjamin made this statement at Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area when his ministry visited and shared food items worth thousands of naira to the needy in the community on Wednesday.
Over 200 people benefited from the items which included rice, beans, garri, condiments as well as Vitamin C to help boost the immune system.
Benjamin stated that this gesture was to complement the efforts of the federal government in reaching out to the masses and distributing relief materials during the lockdown period as the nation fights the coronavirus pandemic.
His words: “I hope that the €50 million which amounts to N21billion donated by the UN on Tuesday this week will be used largely for palliative measures for the masses. This will enable them to obey the stay at home order and social distancing directive to prevent further spread of the disease”
Benjamin, who is also the President, African Economic Empowerment Initiative and Foundation for World Peace and Conflict Resolution said that his ministry decided to donate food items to the masses in order to encourage them to obey the stay-at-home directive by the federal government.
He expressed optimism that the extension of the lockdown by another 14days would further position the nation to tackle the pandemic.
“The reason for the two weeks extension which is the incubation period of the virus is so that the government can identify and remove those that have tested positive to the virus in the society. I urge people to abide and obey the stay at home order so that those who have been infected by the virus can be traced and removed from the society for treatment,” he said.
The archbishop appealed to all religious bodies including churches, mosques as well as well-meaning Nigerians to rise to the occasion and give back to the society at such a difficult times.
He said that preaching the gospel was not just about talking to people alone from the Holy Books but about also demonstrating humanitarian works that could actually impress on people what your religion represents.
“People in Ijegun, Satellite Town, Ojo, Amuwo Odofin and Ajeromi Local Government Areas have benefited from it and we intend to keep it going until the lockdown is lifted. If the federal government extends the stay at home order again, we will also extend our kind gestures to meet the needs of the poor in the society,” he said.
He also urged the public to adhere to social distancing, keep good hygiene in order to stay safe and play down the negative effects of the virus.
