Lockdown: NSCIA distributes relief packages to FCT community

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Package

Abuja, April. 11, 2020 (NAN) No fewer than 90 households of different faiths had benefitted from relief packages distributed by the Nigeria Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) on Saturday in parts of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The relief items, comprising rice, detergent and other condiments, were meant to cushion the effect of total lockdown declared by the Federal Government as part of measures to contain community transmission of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria.

The Director of Administration, NSCIA, Alhaji Yusuf Nwoha, who led the team to Mpape community in Abuja, told journalists that the targeted recipients are widows, aged, people with special needs as well as some unemployed persons.

He explained that the intervention was being administered through the platform of NSCIA’s non-profit organisation, Mission for Education, Social and Health (MESH), which had long identified the households that were qualified to benefit from the assistance.

He however appealed to wealthy individuals, especially Muslims, to support the Muslim Coalition Against COVID-19.

He said the group is a conglomerate of 45 Islamic Organisations being coordinated by Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), to respond to the basic needs of the people during the period of lockdown.

Meanwhile, the Programme Officer, MESH, Mrs Oladipopo Kadijat, explained that the intervention was to complement the efforts being put in place by the Committee of Imams Initiatives to provide for the needy during the period of the lockdown.

She also explained that the beneficiaries were never selected based on tribe, religious or political disposition but strictly based on their economic situation and other needs. (NAN)

AMU/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola