Brave Dickson
Over 100 orphans and widows in Rivers State have benefited from palliatives donated by Governor Nyesom Wike in commemoration of this year’s June 12, Democracy Day.
The country under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had set aside every 12th of June to honour Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who defeated Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the 1993 presidential election.
Although, the election result was not declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, as it was consequentially nullified by the then Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd).
It was alleged that in order to pacify the South-West where MKO Abiola came from, Buhari changed the nation’s Fourth Republic democracy day from May 29 to June 12.
Speaking on behalf of other orphans, Muhammed Salisu said the palliatives will help reduce the hunger they are always faced with.
According to her, “being an orphan is not a good experience especially to us that are not yet adult.
“Only God has been helping us as most times we do not see food to eat.
“We are happy again that our government could remember that we exist.”
The palliatives which contained pasta products, sugar, salt and other items were donated to only Muslim orphans and widows through an Islamic group known as Gateway Orphanage and Widows Welfare Foundation, Rivers State.
On his part, the Secretary-General of the group, Alhaji Danliti Aliyu told our correspondent that the palliatives were specifically meant for the state Muslim orphans and widows while thanking the state government for the gesture.
