Concerned about the welfare of sports men and women in the country as the global coronavirus pandemic containment measures continued to shrink families’ economic fortunes,the Senior Special Assistant to Edo state Deputy Governor,SSA on sports Mrs Sabina Chikere has donated food items to some Ex- sportsmen and women in Benin city as palliatives.
The food items include among others,good sized packs of rice,beans,groundnut oil and onions.
The Edo sports loving deputy Governor’s SSA on Sports fondly called MAMA BENDEL INSURANCE who was optimistic social life will soon bounce back,carried out the distribution exercise through the Secretary to Bendel Insurance FC Charles Ihimekpen in company of other officials and Sports General media group’s Administrators Mr Harrison Iyonmana and Joseph Isokpehi.
The donor Mrs Chikere while releasing the items for onward distribution to the needy said she was moved by the pitiable condition she met some ex-Internationals and ex-Insurance players when the sports minister Sunday Dare extended his palliativea to some beneficiaries in Benin.
She said though her donations may not go too far but she decided to contribute her widows might “said though little but might go a long way to positively affect the families of the recipients.
Some of the beneficiaries who include Mr Sunday Eboigbe,Ajasa Owonaru,late coach Ogbeide’s family, Coach Zigi Lala include Late Joseph Okoh’s family, late Douglas Uzama’s family, Late George Omokaro’s family, Olympian Maria Osifo and retired Bendel Insurance FC driver Pa Pulley Osayande all expressed joy over the SSA’s kind gesture to them.
All the recipients were full of praises and prayers to the SSA.
The ex-New Nigeria Bank goalkeeper Pa Ajasa Owonaru in an emotion laden tune, said he never expected to be remembered at this time by someone or group he didn’t work for in his active years. He prayed for God’s mercy and favour upon the donor.
The ever committed Bendel Insurance FC supporters’ club members led by Chief Ogiefa Osadolor and some ex-athletes were not left out in the palliatives as chief Ogiefa expressed his club’s appreciation to the donor and the deputy governor, comrade Philip Shaibu for giving the SSA the opportunity to serve Edo through Bendel Insurance FC and sports generally.
Chief Ogiefa added that the palliatives will undoubtedly lift the spirit of their members and give them more sense of belonging.
