PALLIATIVES: LAGOS GOVT DISTRIBUTES ‘OUNJE EKO’ TO RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN LAGOS

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In furtherance of its humanitarian intervention to cushion the effects of the harsh economy, the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has commenced the distribution of 20, 000 food packs to Religious Leaders across the five divisions of the State.

Speaking to journalists during the presentation to Religious Leaders earlier today, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya stated that this action was a continuation of the State government’s intervention programme which cuts across all sectors in the State.

He noted that the Ministry has commenced the distribution of 20,000 food packs, which consist of 10kg Rice, 5kg Beans and 5kg Garri, to be given to all over 94 Associations of both the Christian Muslim communities in the State.

Ogunsanya explained that representatives of each religious group have been invited and they have started collecting the palliatives on behalf of the various associations.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the distribution has been decentralised so that 3000 packs of ‘Ounje Eko’ will be distributed per day to each Religious body, adding that each division of the State will receive 500 packs each to be shared among its members.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Islam, Dr. Abdullahi Jebe hinted that the gesture from the State Government will go a long way to alleviate the effect of the present economic pressure on the religious communities, as food remains an essential part of man’s basic needs.

Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Christianity, Very Reverend Adebukola Adeleke noted that the State Government is sensitive to the plights of the Religious Leaders and their members, hence the need for the distribution of the food palliatives to assuage the high cost of food in the markets.