The former Coordinator of Delta, Edo and Rivers States in Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, Hon Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has rendered financial supports to Isoko Unions in Lagos and Abuja branches to cushion the effects of the lockdown caused by the ravaging coronavirus pandemic that broke out in mid December, 2019 in Wuhan, the Capital of Hebei Province, in the People’s Republic of China.
The whooping sum of six hundred thousand naira (N600,000) was evenly disbursed to the Isoko Unions which include, the Isoko Development Union, IDU, Abuja Branch, the Emede Progressive Union, EPU, Lagos Branch and Emede Progressive Union, EPU, Abuja Branch respectively. Each Union got the sum of two hundred thousand naira (N200,000) to help ameliorate the hardship brought by COVID-19 pandemic.
While donating the cash, Hon Joel-Onowakpo stated that the COVID-19 lockdown has affected the people’s means of sustenance, caused undue hardship and have negatively impacted on the livelihoods of Nigerians, Isoko ethnic nationalities inclusive.
“The coronavirus pandemic has brought global economic crises. Our lives and businesses have been affected negatively and in most cases have been placed on hold. This is quite a trying time for us but I am confident that we shall overcome this predicament in due time.
“This is the time we must come together in unity, faith, love and purpose to render our solemn supports in any way we can to help ourselves out of this mess and on this premise, I assisted our people under the umbrella body of the Isoko Unions in Lagos and Abuja to cushion the effects of the lockdown.
“I must commend some indigenes of Isoko ethnic nation of their efforts channeled towards charity and oneness of purpose. It is my prayer that God should preserve our lives to see the end of this pandemic so that we can all rebuild together,” Joel-Onowakpo concluded.”
While conveying the gratitude of the Unions, Mr Jonathan Agbadede who spoke on behalf of IDU Abuja said, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has been used by God to alleviate the financial pains of Isoko people and prayed God should stand for him at the times of needs and bless him abundantly.
On his part, the Secretary of EPU Lagos branch, Amos Iwary stated, “we the entire members of EPU Lagos Branch, hereby express our appreciation for your kind gesture during this pandemic period. Your palliative donation of N200,000 was received. May the Almighty God continue to bless, guide, and protect you and your family.”
The EPU Abuja branch also coveyed its appreciation to Joel-Onowakpo, praying God to replenish him a hundred fold.
It could be recalled that among other donations toward reducing the effects of coronavirus pandemic and lockdown in Isoko, despite contributing handsomely towards the Isoko nation COVID-19 project, Hon Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has distributed foodstuffs to over 4,000 families across Isoko Nation as well as reached out to orphanages and many vulnerable people in the society. This kind gesture has attracted wild commendation from the society.
