Sola POPOOLA
Former governor of Ekiti State, Engineer Segun Oni has described the Harrison Noyi Alonge, the founder and Chief Executive Officer, Harrison Niyi Alonge Care Foundation as a humble personality with heart of gold .
Engineer Oni,who gave the commendation at the official launch of the foundation and Mega Empowerment for over 20000 beneficiaries, said the intervention was timely ,given the current economic realities in Nigeria . The beneficiaries were drawn fromm he 16 Local Government areas of the state.
Joined by other top leaders of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) I’m Ekiti and SouthWest,the former governor said whoever is willing to empower the poor and downtrodden at this critical time must be considered a true philanthropist.
Although, Engineer Oni said the task of revamping the economic cannot be entirely left with the government ,he therefore called on all and sundry to contribute their quota in getting the country back on track.
Oni ,therefore thanked the leaders of the party for identifying with the genuine intervention ,urging them to always support laudable initiative aimed at lifting the poor .
In his remarks, Alonge said the effort was to identify with the people during this critical time .
He clarified that the intervention was not the first of it kind ,stressing that what made it unique was the fact that the Foundation was being launched officially.
Alonge said :
“Let me state here clearly that I am not here for self aggrandizement or to score cheap any political points. rather, it is for the wellness and betterment of our people.No one is in doubt as to whether government policies are making life more difficult and unbearable for the citizenry ,what is paramount now is how to get out this mess.
“In Nigeria today virtually all facets of our life is challenged , there is hardship everywhere. The rich are not even spared, to eat is not easy and to feed is not easy.Things are no longer rosy in our homes. Parents can hardly cater for their homes.There is hunger everywhere and a popular Yoruba proverb says that “Ebi ki wonu ki oro mi tun wo.” Meaning “( A hungry man listens to no one) . That is our basis of gathering people from the 16 local government areas this morning.
“This critical situation in our nation demands urgent attention and solutions and the only way out is for our critical stakeholders not to push the responsibility of providing palliative support to the doorstep of the government alone.
“In my own little way to support to alleviate the suffering of our people through my humble project ,Harrison Niyi Alonge Care foundation under my leadership will be distributing palliative to over 2,000 beneficiaries.
It is my hope that this intervention will go a long way in cushioning biying effect of the current economic pains .Let us rally round our people by providing little, little support to them from time to time.
This will go a long way to reduce the effects of hunger in our society.
“This is not my first time of giving to the society. what makes today different is that we are going to officially launch my foundation that will be saddled with additional mandate and responsibility to give more to the society and equally reach out to people in rural areas who cannot afford medical care and basic needs.” Alonge
In her goodwill message,Senator Biodun Olujimi said the programme was symbolic as it was the largest assemblage of leaders of the PDP sincevtge last General election.
The PDP chieftain urged Ekiti people to rally round Mr Alonge ,even though he had not expressed interest for any political office. She appreciated the good gestures urging other well -to – do individuals in the society to emulate Alonge inorder to banish poverty from the land.
Among the dignitaries were furner acting governor Prince Tunji Odeyemi, former PDP State Chairman Makanjuola Ogundipe, former council chairmen, and some former members of the Ekiti Stare House of Assembly,including Hon Wale Ayeni who coordinated the event .
The event was graced by some top Nollywood artists like Mr Latin and Opebe.