A cross section of community leaders have asked monarchs and well-meaning people to emulate the Olubadan example by fighting the spread of Corona Virus through the distribution of foodstuff, hand sanitizer and gloves to the needy.
The Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Wasiu Aderoju Alaadorin yesterday in the ancient city gave this plea after the distribution of the goods on behalf of community leaders whose areas have been touched by the first class monarch’s spirit of generosity. The communities touched include some household in Popoyemoja, Alaadorin, Akuro, Ita Aregbe-omo, Gbodu, etc.
According to him, the kind gesture displayed by the monarch was the tonic needed for the indigent people to comply with the Government Stay-at-Home order without fear of hunger and starvation. He added that it is a practical demonstration of the traditional institution’s commitment to fight the pandemic to a standstill.
On Wednesday, bags of rice and beans were distributed at the instance of Olubadan to people while packs of branded safety equipment such as hand sanitizer and gloves were distributed in the neighborhood last Thursday.
On the scourge of COVID-19 ravaging the globe, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1cautioned the people not to take chances with their health by complying with Government instructions and other precautionary measures which include stay-at-home order, social distancing, regular hand washing, avoid overcrowding, self isolation, doing away with handshake and prompt reporting of COVID-19 related symptoms to the appropriate quarters.
He however warned people not to panic as the Government and well-weaning Nigerians are doing their best to stop the spread of the dreaded disease.
He stated further that like the Ebola outbreak, avian flu and Lassa fever, Corona virus which has come would also go, adding that if it must go as quickly as possible, we need to comply with all directives.
Said he, “Even in the Olubadan palace, we have suspended palace activities over the past one and half weeks. Courtesy visits have been cancelled. Land cases have been postponed. Chieftaincy promotion exercise that ought to take place in a stretch of three weeks have been put on hold and the Olubadan-in-Council members and affected chiefs have been duly informed about it as far back as two weeks ago. We wish we could do more as health is wealth.”
