…Ex- Governor Segun Oni, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, others grace occasion
No fewer than 2000 Ekiti State residents drawn from the 16 Local Governments Areas of the state received cash and food items as Harrison Niyi Alonge Care Foundation, a non governmental organization, was launched in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State on Wednesday
The palliative support comprises foodstuffs such as rice, garri and noodles as well as cash
The occasion,which took place at the Ikere City Hall was graced by a former Governor of the state,Engr. Segun Oni,Senator Abiodun Olujimi, the traditional ruler of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado Agrilala II, other traditional rulers as well as notable leaders and political chieftains in the state.
Launching the foundation, the former Governor, Engr. Segun Oni commended the initiator of the foundation, Mr Harrison Alonge who he described as a caring, humane and committed individual with impeccable love for the upliftment and wellbeing of the people.
Oni urged Indigenes of the state that are blessed with material and financial resources to emulate Alonge’s virtues by also supporting the less privileged in their communities.
He solicited the support of the people of the town to towards ensuring the success of the foundation which he said is meant to alleviate the suffering of the downtrodden .
Similarly, a former minority leader of the Senate, Senator Biodun Olujimi, described the France based Ikere Ekiti born business magnate as a blessing to the state.
She called on the people of the state to support future aspiration of the Harrison Alonge who she said is passionate about improving the lives of the people of the state.
Chairman of the occasion and former chairman of FERMA, Engr.Jide Adeniji in his address, described Alonge as a compassionate individual who is always ready to put smiles in the faces of the people irrespective of tribe , religion or status.
In his speech, the Chief Executive Officer CEO, and Founder, Harrison Niyi Alonge Care Foundation, Mr Harrison Niyi Alonge stated that the palliative support is not meant to score cheap any political points nor for self aggrandizement but for the wellness and betterment of the people.
According to him, the critical situation in our nation demands urgent attention and solutions and the only way out is for our critical stakeholders not to push the responsibility of providing palliative support to the doorstep of government alone.
” No one is in doubt as to whether government policies are making life more difficult and unbearable for the
citizenry ,what is paramount now is how to get out this mess.
” In Nigeria today, virtually all facets of our life is challenged, there is hardship everywhere. The rich are not
even spared, to eat is not easy and to feed is not easy.
” Things are no longer rosy in our homes. Parents can hardly cater for their homes.There is hunger everywhere
and a popular Yoruba proverb says that “Ebi ki wonu ki oro mi tun wo.” Meaning ” A hungry man listens to no one “.
“Let us rally round our people by providing little, little support to them from time to time.This will go a long way to reduce the effects of hunger in our society”,Alonge said.
He promised to embark on other programmes such as health support programme to rural areas and empowerment support to small scale businesses in Ekiti state.
He said further; “This is not my first time of giving to the society. what makes today different is that we are going to officially launch my foundation that will be saddled with additional mandate and responsibility to give more to the society and equally reach out to people in rural areas who cannot afford medical care and basic needs.
“The responsibility of catering for the needs of our people at this critical period is a collective one.The government has a role to play while the stakeholders need to contribute their quota to make lives more meaningful to the people”, he stressed
Other dignitaries at the occasion include; His Excellency ,Rt Hon,Tunji Odeyemi,former Acting Governor of Ekiti State, Alhaji Bello Bashir and Barrister Amuwa Samson among others.
