By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Relief items worth millions have again been distributed to the community of Elem-Sangama, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State by the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation.
Recall that in November, the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation distributed relief items worth N60 million to 2,000 families displaced by flood in Akinima, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
This time, the group shared food, toiletries, medication, treated mosquito nets and wrappers, with a medical team from the organisation attending to people with health challenges in the community.
Elem-Sangama, one of the islands in the Kalabari Kingdom, was totally devastated and cut-off by the recent Nigeria 2022 floods, which wreaked havoc among its inhabitants.
Chairman of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Dr Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs, said the intervention after the earlier one in Akinima, Ahoada West Local Government in November was fulfilling her promise to stand by Nigerians affected by the catastrophe.
“After the Akinima event, I stated that the O.B. Lulu-Briggs remains committed to caring for the under-served through interventions that have an immediate impact; we will provide humanitarian relief to Nigerians when disasters like the flood emergency occur.
“We are in Elem-Sangama to fulfil that promise, and we shall do more with the right strategic partnerships and collaborations,” she said.
Dr Lulu-Briggs added that the plight of families re-building from the disruptions caused by the floods on the remote island touched her.
“Our intervention coincides with the Christmas season. Christmas is a season of giving by God. We recall that He gave his only begotten son to bring us peace and joy. We are doing as instructed by God by sharing what we have with our brothers and sisters in Elem-Sangama.
“We are His hands and legs. It is our mandate to ensure that no natural occurrences stop anyone from experiencing the wonderful spiritual gift that brings us eternal life. And I call on other individuals and organisations who can afford it, to support underprivileged Nigerians and make them happy this Christmas,” she added.
Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs further noted that efforts to build resilience, climate adaptation and mitigation strategies must commence immediately as a matter of urgency in our communities. She said everyone must also play their part to ensure a safe and sustainable environment.
In his remarks, the Amayanabo, HRH Tamunobere D. Onisah, thanked the foundation’s thoughtful intervention and Dr Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs for her kind gesture.
“The people are very happy and thankful for this assistance. It is very timely. We will write her a letter of gratitude confirming that we received the consignment she graciously sent. I have also told my people that we must nurture this relationship between the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation and us into the future. Nothing must come between us,” he said.
Also, one of the beneficiaries, Ere Mathew, praised the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation for its kind gesture, noting that it will be a good Christmas for the community.
“You can say Christmas has come early for us in Elem- Sangama this year, despite our flooding experience. We never knew we would have cause for cheer this yuletide, but we now have through the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation. We appreciate this kind gesture and pray that the Foundation continues to grow in strength,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Gulu Ngo, spoke in the same vein, saying, “Thanks to the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, we will have a truly merry Christmas. We would have called you a joker if you had told us last week that an organisation would come bearing such needed materials, including food and medication. But this is happening, and the whole community is joyful. We couldn’t have wished for more. Thank you, O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation; we are grateful.”
Adedapo Adesanya