By Daniel Abia
Hundreds of the most vulnerable people in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, defied an early morning rain on Sunday to queue up for a free food package distributed by the One Love Movement, aimed at alleviating their hunger.
Some of the beneficiaries suspended their church services to participate in the gesture, while others working in nearby motor parks emptied into the famous Isaac Boro Amusement Park to receive their share of the package.
Speaking earlier before the commencement of the food distribution, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, commended the activities of the non-governmental organisation, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement for its commitment toward alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in society.
She spoke at this year’s edition of Operation Feed the Needy, a yearly outreach event of the group in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The Deputy Governor said that by feeding more than 60,000 hungry people over the past six years, the group has distinguished itself as a club that cares for the less privileged in society.
“We appreciate the love you show to the people of Rivers State, especially the most vulnerable ones, by reaching out to feed them,” she commended.
The leader of the movement, Mr. Idaere Gogo Ogan, said the movement was planning a permanent food kitchen where both the poor and vulnerable persons could work and get fed every day.
Ogan said more than 60,000 poor and vulnerable persons across Port Harcourt City and environs have been fed since the inception of the program six years ago.
He described the movement as a platform to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development, empathy, and feeding the less privileged.
“That’s what we are doing today. We started the exercise six years ago, and since then, we have reached out to over 60,000 people,” he said.
Ogan noted that the effort was a private-sector-driven initiative but added: “It also involves people in government because the platform does not recognise any division. We bring everybody together in unity, friendship, and brotherhood.”
According to him, the effort will go a long way in alleviating hunger, especially following the prevailing economic reality in the country today.
“You know the country is very tough. People are hungry. People are starving. There is so much economic hardship. So for us, this is just our own way of reaching out, our own social contribution to what is very difficult,” he said.
Over 11,000 persons were fed in the just-concluded exercise. Areas of coverage included Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt Prison, Borokiri/Enugu Waterside, Bundu area, Waterlines, among others.
Some of the beneficiaries, including an 80-year-old widow, commended the movement for the annual program and urged other organisations to emulate them.
The octogenarian, who simply identified herself as Mama Ibiso, said: “I thank God for feeding me today. I thank these people [organisers] for the good work they are doing. Others should help the poor people also.”
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