Efforts by Governor Hope Uzodimma to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and provide relief materials to citizens of the state as a form of palliative against the menace of hunger following the lock down are yielding results as Imo State-born ICT guru, Leo Stan Ekeh has supported the government with food items and cash donation.
On Thursday, the Leo-Stan Foundation donated truck load of food items to the state government as part of its effort to assist the government in meeting the immediate needs of the people.
Receiving the donation/relief materials, Governor Uzodimma thanked the donor, Chief Leo-Stan Ekeh for supporting the government to confront the ugly monster ravaging the country and the world at large.
The Governor who acknowledged that Leo-Stan Ekeh Foundation has done well for the state not only in the area of scholarship, but by providing skills and manpower to citizens of the state, called on other spirited individuals from Imo to lend a hand of support to the state in the battle against COVID- 19 pandemic.
His words: “This is a wakeup call for our brothers and sisters both at home and in diaspora to think home and support the fight against covid 19. Government alone cannot do all that is involved.”
Earlier, HRH Eze George Azinna Ekeh, the traditional ruler of Ishi Ubomiri who represented Leo-Stan Ekeh, stated that the Foundation is appreciative of the creative energy and strategies instituted by the state government in managing the very challenging COVID-19 pandemic. He said it is a thing of joy that Imo is counted as one of the most protected states in Nigeria.
Chief Ekeh said that the Foundation was happy to donate a 40ft truck filled with 20kg bags of rice, 100 cartons of tomato paste, and 100 cartons of gallons of vegetable oil to help the state in providing succour to the people.
The Foundation, the governors Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, said in a statement, “used the opportunity of the visit to announce cancellation of the non-interest loan extended to over 871 Imo entrepreneurs in the last few months, so that they can use the fund to feed their families.”
Responding on behalf of the COVID-19 Prevention Committee in the state, the Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu also thanked the Leo-Stan Ekeh Foundation for the generous donations and called on other top business moguls and cooperate organization to help the state government which is presently doing her best but still needs all the help it can get.
Earlier, Governor Uzodimma acknowledged receipt of twenty million Naira (₦20m) paid into the state’s COVID-19 Account by the Foundation for the purpose of buying sanitizers for the citizens.