Abians Applaud Prof. Ibe, as COVID-19 palliative reaches more LGAs in Abia |SEE PHOTOS

Delivering an opening speech during the ceremony, the chairman of Prof Gregory Ibe Foundation(PGIF), Hon. Prince Emeka Okafor, stated that the palliative distribution is targeted at the less privileged members of the society. He therefore charged representatives of the Local Government Councils and other invited organisations to ensure effective transmission of the palliatives to the needy members of the groups they represent irrespective of their social, religious, tribal or political leanings. He retariated that as a non-partisan organisation, Prof Gregory Ibe Foundation was established "to cater for the well-being of all members of the society without recourse to their political or tribal affiliations", emphasising that their interventions are usually targeted at improving the lives of the less privileged members of the society.

The Coordinator of the PGIF second phase palliative distribution exercise, Surveyor Eze Ibe Aja stated that Prof Gregory Ibe initiated the second phase of the palliative distribution exercise due to the lingering effects of the pandemic, arising from his concern for the well-being of the poor masses in the face of the hardship caused by the global scourge. He therefore enjoined LGA Ambassadors of Abia Crusaders, Council Ward representatives, Leaders and other group representatives to "distribute the items judiciously and equitably, no matter the quantity, ensuring that each needy Abian receives something".

Representatives of Abia chapters of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) , Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria (OMPAN),and Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) were joined by ward leaders from Umunneochi and Isuikwuato Local Government Councils in witnessing and partaking in the formal flag-off ceremony.

Sequel to the official flag-off, the palliative materials were subsequently taken to the people at their different wards through various Local Government Councils. This exercise was done through the despatch of delegations of Prof Gregory Ibe Foundation to different Local Government Councils, on scheduled days to interact with the ward residents.Thus deploying members of Abia Crusaders Organisation, the local arm of Prof Gregory Ibe Foundation, the palliative materials made up of bags of rice, beans, garri, salt, cartons of noodles and tubers of yam were distributed to residents of the 184 wards in the state.

Welcoming the delegation to Ugwunabor Local Government Council, the Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. Peter Aguwamba, thanked Prof. Gregory Ibe for the kind gesture. He applauded him for having the welfare of the less privileged members of Abia society at heart which led him to undertake a second phase of palliative distribution after executing a resounding first phase. In his own remarks, the Chairman of Ugwunabor Stakeholders Forum, Hon. Chinwe Nwanganga, thanked Prof Ibe for remembering Ugwunabor people in particular and the entire citizens of Abia State at large with his '' charity and peculiar act of benevolence". He reassured the team that the items received will subsequently be delivered to the targeted indigent members of the Local Government Council, who according to him, need it the most.

Receiving the team in Ukwa West,the PGIF Ambassador for Ukwa West Local Government Area, Hon. Uche Enyioko, stated that Abia State is blessed to have a son like Prof. Gregory Ibe, who is "constantly touched by the plight of the needy" , and thanked the Chancellor for initiating what he termed as "Kitchen Palliative." Hon Enyioko further stated that representatives of the ten wards that make up the local government council were present to receive the items on behalf of the indigenes of the LGA.

At Umuahia South LGA,the PGIF delegation was received by a representative of Abia Crusaders in the area, Chief Ambrose Emezue. Speaking after receiving the palliative materials, Chief Emezue described Prof Ibe as "too benevolent and filled with a large tank of overflowing milk of kindness''. He lauded the initiative of the second phase of palliative distribution as a follow up to the largely successful premiere edition.

Correspondents report that apart from Umunneochi and Isuikwuato Local Government Councils who had the fortune of receiving their palliatives during the flag off ceremony, the remaining 15 LGAs were served their quota at their bases, as delegations of the Prof Gregory Ibe Foundation came calling, while arrangements are being concluded to extend the exercise to churches, markets and charity homes in Abia state.