The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, on Wednesday began the distribution of assorted food items and undisclosed amount of cash to indigent persons across the Bida Emirate Council.
At a brief ceremony in his Wadata Palace, Bida, the royal father said that the gesture was part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people of the emirate occasioned by the lockdown order in a bid to halt the spread of Covid-19.
He disclosed that the items and cash were donated by philanthropic individuals within and outside the emirate.
Alhaji Abubakar also announced the formation of a five-man committee to take charge of the distribution of the food items and money to the intended beneficiaries across the 6 local government areas in his domain.
According to Etsu Nupe, the committee will be chaired by the District Head of Edokota, Alhaji Abubakar Shaba.
Other members of the committee include the Head of Administration, Federal Medical Centre, Bidda, Alhaji Musa Ladan; Councilor Bida Local Government, Danladi Ahmad; Rev James Adams, Kuayekan Nupe and Alhaji Abubakar Ndako will serve as the Committee’s Secretary.
The monarch charged the members of the committee to live above board as well as ensure fairness and fear of Almighty Allah in the discharge of the food items.
Etsu Nupe also appealed to wealthy Nigerians to assist the less privileged in the society with food items and money so that they would be able to observe the lock down with less stress.
“It is important that highly placed individuals in the society should support the less privileged in the society.
“I want to appeal to wealthy individuals in my kingdom and beyond to assist the less privileged ones in this trying time as a result of Covid- 19 pandemic,” the royal father appealed.
He also commended all those who have contributed to support his domain, the state and indeed Nigeria at large, praying God Almighty to richly reward their kindness.
The Etsu Nupe said the items included 4,000 cartons of indomie, 145 bags of rice, millets 30 bags of semovita, 25 cartons of magi, 10 cartons of spaghetti and undisclosed amount of money.
Chairman of the Committee and District Head of Edokota, Alhaji Abubakar Shaba, had pledged that the items would be distributed to the targeted people through respective wards.
Alhaji Shaba, who is the Barayan Nupe, called for support from residents of the area to enable the committee to carry out its assignment effectively.
