By Amaechi Agbo

A student union body, The Opi Undergraduate Association, OUA, an umbrella  of undergraduates from Opi, a popular town in Nsukka area council, Enugu State, South East Nigeria, has donated the sum of two hundred thousand naira (N200, 000. 00) to alleviate the suffering of the poor in the town during the coronavirus pandemic, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

The donation was spread across the three communities in the town namely Ibeku, Idi and Ogbozarra.

Each of the 20 beneficiaries received the sum ten thousand naira (N10, 000.00) to help them cushion the impact of the coronavirus pandemic also referred to as COVID-19.

In a message by the OUA President, Com. Ezugwu Gerald Akubuilo, he described the gesture as a laudable one adding that the Association made a passionate appeal to illustrious sons and daughters of Opi on the need to donate  and help the most vulnerable in the town in this critical time.

Com. Akubilo expressed joy that their appeal was instantly heeded to as Chief Sunday Ezugwu donated the N200, 000.00 which he said was first in series of other expexted cash palliatives that will be shared among the most vulnerable poor in the community

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“It is not often that we encounter special and momentous days, though we always pray for same.

“Today (April 20, 2020) was such a day. Covid-19 pandemic has thrown the world into  indescribable confusion and hardship. The lockdown in Nigeria has threatened the most vulnerable and poor in the society.

“That some people barely feed three square meals a day is too obvious to warrant repetition. The huge hardship brought by this virus made O.U.A under my leadership to cry out to well meaning sons and daughters of Opi for help.

“Visibly shaken and touched by the plight of the less privileged in Opi, one of our Illustrious sons, Chief Ezugwu Sunday came to their rescue. He donated a whooping sum of 200, 000 (two hundred thousand) to alleviate their plights.

“Each beneficial which shall consist of at least 20 persons received N10, 000.  This will aid and support them no matter how little during this unusual period.

“Importantly , the beneficiaries were the most vulnerable and less privileged in Opi which was entrusted on the OUA to pinpoint and reach out accordingly.

“By the special grace of God, this all- important exercise was carried out today. We agreed to spread it in Idi, Ibeku and Ogbozara, representing at least the identified villages as the subsisting social and communal underpinnings stipulate.

“We are glad to announce that the identified beneficiaries were overwhelmed in happiness that Chief Ezugwu Sunday remembered and helped them out. It was an emotional experience as some of them burst into tears, (sure, that of happiness).

“They prayed to Almighty God to replenish the pocket of the donor, and OUA for their efforts and regard, remarking same as first of its kind.

“The exercise was very transparent, as lists of the beneficiaries were taken, and in reasonably appropriate circumstances.

“I thank my indefatigable excos for their efforts, and every other persons that made it a success.

“Again, I cease this opportunity to appeal further to our other well meaning sons and daughters in Opi to aid in whatever capacity that they can. There is serious hunger in the land.

“Every other thing maybe forgotten, but the smiles we put on people’s faces will always be remembered; they  become a long lasting memory, that are never erased with the passage of time or the change of seasons,” he said.

The list of the of beneficiaries include

1.Nwannezie Ezugwu of Umuezenakwa village idi opi

2.Charles Agbo of Umuezenakwa village idi opi

3.Janet Abonyi of Umuoka umuile village idi opi

4.Nwamaka Atusa of mkpuabali village of idi opi

5.Ukamaka Ezugwu of ovoko village idi opi

6.Ezugwu Anaesthesia of umuezeaguiyi village of ogbozalla OPI

7.Titus Agbo of Amukpa ogbozalla village opi

8.Evelyn Ugwu of isamelu ogbozalla

9.Nwannezie Ezema of Amaogbodo ogbozalla

10.Abonyi Nnadi of Umuezenazu Ogbozalla opi

11.Esther ugwunwaeze of Amovu Ogbozalla

12 Ezemah Theresa IBEKU OPI

13 Ugwu Catherine- Ikwulla Ogbozara.

14 Francis Abonyi- Amaidenyi ibeku OPI

15 Onyima Abonyi- Umu Egwollema ibeku

16 Son of the late Joel Abonyi- Amadim OGBOZALLA OPI

17 Lovina Omeje- umu Agogu Ibeku OPI

18 Felicia Egbe-umu Durugwuiyi  Uwa elu Ibeku

19 Felicia Agbo- Nwa obodo eze. IBEKU OPI

20 EZUGWU Nkechi Odunazu idi Opi.

The President in an interview with our correspondent expressed optimism that more succour would come to other vulnerable persons in the town.

He particularly thanked Chief Sunday Ezugwu for his benevolence and magnanimity.

It could be recalled that following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria in March this year, the federal and state governments have ordered for lockdown and issued no movement order as part of measures to curtail the spread of the virus which has claimed over 125 000 lives globally.

Nigeria currently has 665 confirmed cases as at 11:10 pm of 20th April with 188 discharged cases and 22 deaths recorded.