UYO– The Akwa Ibom State Government has continued to receive support from corporate organisations and public spirited individuals in the management of COVID-19 pandemic in the State.
The latest support is from the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II who donated two motorised modular fumigators to the government of Akwa Ibom State, in support of the efforts being made by the government to curtail further spread of the deadly disease.
The Elejesi of Ife Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Awosunle, who led other members of Ooni COVID-19 team, to the Government House,Uyo, presented the items on behalf of the Ooni of Ife to the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of COVID-19 Management Committee, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem.
Awosunle said the donation was to complement the efforts of government in the fight against further spread of the virus in the state.
He said the machine, locally fabricated at the palace of Ooni of Ife, could also be used for agricultural purposes.
“It is very important to know that every aspect of the machine; all the materials used were locally-sourced and produced at the palace.Baba believes so much in Akwa Ibom State.He loved the Governor,” the Elejesi of Ife land stated.
According to Elejesi, Ooni Ogunwusi believes in what he can do for his country at this critical period and not what his country can do for him.
Also speaking, another member of the Ooni COVID-19 team, Princess Fadekemi Fadojutimi, explained that the usefulness of the fumigating equipment will last beyond the COVID-19 pandemic because of its efficiency in the agricultural industry,
assuring that the active agent used for the fumigator is not harmful to humans.
Receiving the items, the Chairman of COVID-19 Management Committee and Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem thanked the Ooni for the donation.
Dr Ekuwem, who described the Ife monarch as a detribilised and creative royal father, said he is deeply impressed and touched by the innovation of the Ooni.
“On behalf of His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, we’re very thankful to His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife for supporting His Excellency’s fight against COVID-19.
“It’s a great thing for us and we appreciate it.This is a demonstration of love from the palace.We really commend His Imperial Majesty for thinking out of the box.The Governor, by the grace of God is winning this fight against COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom State,” SSG noted.
Also speaking, the State Incident Manager and Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong said the fumigating equipment will be useful to the state in the fight against the virus especially as the state was fumigating “very many environments, public places, worship centres and markets.”
Dr Ukpong, therefore called on other royal fathers in the country to emulate the ingenuity of the Ife’s monarch in affecting the lives of their subjects.
