By Olukayode Idowu
As part of efforts to alleviate the hardships being experienced by Nigerians, especially women and children, as a result of the lockdown imposed to combat the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) today, 22 April 2020, distributed palliatives to members of the NAF’s host communities in Bassa, Sauka and Wulumo in the Abuja Municipal Area Council. The palliatives, which were distributed to 550 families, included bags of rice, vegetable oil, beans, semovita, noodles and condiments, among others. The donation, which was done in furtherance of NAFOWA’s motto of “Service to Humanity”, is coming barely 48 hours after the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) distributed food items and other palliatives to members of its host communities of Ushafa, Nuwalege and Zamani in Abuja to mark its 56th Anniversary.
Speaking during the flag-off of the well-organized, COVID-19 compliant ceremony, the NAFOWA National President, Hajiya Hafsat Abubarkar, who was represented by the Vice President of the Association, Mrs Elizabeth Amao, stated that the charitable initiative by the Association was to reach out to the less privileged in the society in order to cushion the economic effect of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 global pandemic. She advised Nigerians to adhere strictly to all precautionary measures aimed at eradicating the deadly scourge.
Expressing his appreciation to the NAFOWA for the kind gesture, the Chief of Bassa Community, Gimbia Daudu, noted that following the lockdown order, the people of his community found it extremely difficult to feed. The palliatives, he said, would go a long way in assuaging the plight of his people. Meanwhile, the beneficiaries, who could not hide their joy, also showered encomiums on the NAFOWA President and her team for the palliatives, which according to them, would further cushion the effect of the stay-at-home order. NAFOWA is a Non-Governmental Organisation that is complementing the welfare programmes of the NAF.
