Udo COVID-19 Responders, a group of progressive Udo sons and daughters, home and in diaspora, on Saturday April25, 2020 embarked on distribution of food items worth $20,000 (twenty thousand dollars), about seven million Naira to seven hundred (700) families resident in Udo, Ezinihitte Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria, as part of efforts to alleviate the hardship due to the global pandemic called “COVID-19”, on the people.
Commending the philanthropic gesture of Udo progressives, the Chairman Board of Trustees of Udo Nwere Madu Foundation, Hon Uzoma Nwagwu stated that “Udo may not be on a hill but her light shines brightly.
He extolled the overwhelming support for the initiative, noting that great philosophers have long ago concluded that the act of philanthropy is inbuilt in people. It does not depend on the depth or weight of one’s wealth. Rather, it is propelled by the innermost desire and determination to provide identifiable support, help or assistance to the less privileged in our society. In the words of Bright Kauffman, “the act of giving is in the mind and not in the pocket,” noting that there are so many people blessed with wealth that find it hard to intervene in pitiable conditions.
Similarly, there are many others who may not be so blessed with riches who voluntarily engage in philanthropic acts. We were confronted with the agitating question; do we fold our hands, bury our heads in shame and allow our rural based masses in Udo suffer this undeserved, challenging fate? What do we do in the face of a government whose goals has serially abused and in recent time summarily dismembered the high expectations of Mbaiseland? To all who answered the clarion call of necessity, fully convinced that “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give’- Winston Churchill, we express our profound gratitude.
The US based Technocrat further praised the organizational abilities of the Convener Barrister Marshal Onwumere, the Coordinator General Collins Onyewuchi, the president Udo Peoples Assembly, Washington DC Metropolis, Dr Henry Azu Ogbuokiri among other coordinators in US and Canada, Europe, Asia, and Africa, for ensuring the relief package got to households gravely impacted while we pray that out of the shaky grounds of this awful pandemic situation, we shall erect the firm pillars of a lasting legacy.” In commending all Admins, Coordinators, and all who assisted at various levels, he noted, you have put up a “show” that history will look back at, smile, and be kind to you.
In reaction to the success of the initiative, the Chairman Udo Nwere Madu Foundation, Ifeanyi Nwaugochi, also observed that the rallying generosity of the spirit among Udo indigenes was key, echoingtheir thoughtfulness to invest in the immediate needs of their villagers ravished by hunger, against the ongoing bourgeois donations in newspapers, electronic, print and social media. It remains evident that the people of Mbaise and Imolites are pleased with the timely rescue mission of the UDO COVID-19 Responders group.
In concluding, Uzoma urged the beneficiaries of the relief package, all Udo, and the entire Mbaise people to continue to obey the stay-at-home order, observe social or physical distancing and necessary proactive measures in order to stay healthy, and limit the spread of the virus. He enjoined Udo community, Mbaise, Igbos and all Nigerians to remain in prayers that we shall Overcome Covid-19 pandemic in no distant time.