By Ralph Christopher
The Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, for his laudable efforts at minimizing the impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the people of the state.
Speaking during the handover and flag-off of CACOVID palliatives distribution in Enugu State, the State Representative of CACOVID, Mrs. Chiaka Mbagwu, disclosed that the body is proud of the mountainous steps taken so far by Gov. Ugwuanyi in keeping the people of the state safe “while feeling their pulse”.
Mrs. Mbagwu explained that CACOVID is an organized Private Sector initiative in partnership with the Federal Government, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other agencies, with the sole aim of combating COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
She added that Gov. Ugwuanyi administration’s commitment towards the fight against COVID-19, as well as its untiring efforts to safeguard and cushion the adverse impact of the pandemic on the state’s residents, informed their push to support the laudable achievements of the governor in this regard, through donation of food items such as garri, rice, pasta, noodles, sugar and salt.
Mrs. Mbagwu, who is the Regional Head of United Bank for Africa PLC, Enugu, said that “CACOVID has sought to provide continuing support to the government in the fight against COVID-19, through the provision of palliative items for Nigerians”.
Pointing out that Enugu State government “is intensifying efforts at keeping Enugu State safe from COVID-19”, the CACOVID state representative said that “this synergy between the government and the private sector will continue to yield fruitful results for the people of the state and the country at large”.
Speaking, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who acknowledged with delight another round of support from CACOVID, stated that his administration has consistently engaged in distribution of various forms of palliatives including food items to vulnerable people, groups and communities since the past six months to cushion the hardships occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.
While maintaining that “the CACOVID food palliatives initiative certainly dovetails with our continuing support for our people”, the governor appreciated persons and organizations that have supported the state in the intervention, assuring that the food items from CACOVID will get to the targeted beneficiaries.
In their separate speeches, Nnaemeka Nkechi Sample and Odera Oke, on behalf of the beneficiaries, across ethnic divide, expressed gratitude to the coalition and Gov. Ugwuanyi for the palliatives, which they said will go a long way in assisting them.
Dignitaries at the event include, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, who is the Co-chairman of State Palliatives Implementation Committee, the Leader of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu and other members of the palliatives committee, the State Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Udenu Local Government Area, Hon. Solomon Onah and his Enugu North LGA counterpart, Hon. Emeka Onunze, the traditional rulers led by the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, the Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB), Barr. Nestor Ezeme, among others.
