Brothers Across Nigeria Donate N.5million Worth Food Items To Ogun Aged Men, Women

One of the BAN members giving out a pack of food stuff to one of the beneficiaries 

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji 

ABEOKUTA - A Charity organization, Brothers Across Nigeria (BAN), Ogun state chapter was at the weekend donated food items worth N500,000 to aged men and women in Ijebu-Ode local government area of Ogun State. 

The group said as parts of its community service and social responsibility, decided to support the senior citizens with food stuff as they are most vulnerable to the global pandemic, covid-19. 

Speaking at the distribution of the food items held at the Olisa's palace, Ijebu-Ode, the Ogun State Coordinator, Brothers Across Nigeria, Mr. Kenny Banjo explained that, the food distribution was part of the group's routine exercise at every quarter of the year. 

Banjo noted that, the group has visited Nigerian Correctional Services in the first quarter of the year, as well as Neuropsychiatric hospital and orphanage house in the second and third quarters of the year.

"We just provided free medical services and donated foodstuff to 100 elderly men and women in Ijebu-Ode. This gesture was initiated by the global pandemic ravaging the whole world which has exposed our elders to hunger because they're most vulnerable. 

Members of Brothers Across Nigeria with their Support the Elderly Campaign banner

"We discovered that, majority of these old people in their 60s, 70s are farmers and artisans and they can't go to work again because of old age, therefore in other to support them in our quarterly Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, we decided to come to Ijebu-Ode to reach out to these people. 

"We have been to Abeokuta in the first quarter of the year, we have been to Psychiatrist hospital within the state, we've been to the Nigerian Correctional Service in Yewa zone to preach against drug abuse and made some donations as well, so this is not just the beginning. It's just unfortunate that, this quarter coincided with Covid-19 period. 

"We thank everyone for their supports especially our partners, the Eye Foundation for giving us free medical check up. We hope to do more next time."

The BAN coordinator therefore admonished Nigerian leaders and philanthropists in the society to pay more attention to the senior citizens as covid-19 pandemic has revealed the high level of hunger and impoverishment among the elderly.

The Free food donation ceremony also witnessed free blood pressure check, fasting blood sugar test and free eye check with support of the Eye Foundation Group of Hospitals.

The food items according to coordinator  consist of rice, beans, vegetable oil, seasonings, spaghetti, salt, bread and water.