COVID-19: SUBEB BOARD MEMBER, DR. SAHEED IBIKUNLE FACILITATES PUNUKA FOUNDATION, GIVES RELIEF PACKAGE TO SPECIAL PUPILS IN IKORODU. ...Assists over 200 vulnerable, indigents across Ikorodu Division with cash relief.

In a bid to cushion the effect of the stay at home order of the Lagos State Government to contain the spread of COVID-19, the permanent Board Member, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, has facilitated Punuka Foundation to distribute food items to special pupils of Ipakodo LG primary school in Ikorodu. The Ikorodu born indigene stated that the gesture was aimed at providing succor for the parents of the special people. 

In an exclusive interview with MegaXpression Community News, Ibikunle said this gesture is different because it has to do with the special children in our schools. According to him, "we are all aware of the pandemic and the need for our children to stay at home as ordered by the President and the State government. A foundation called Punuka, who have decided to show love to our special children in Ipakodo Local Govt. Primary School, which is one of the centres among the 34 we have in the primary schools. 

"This foundation have come around to give some relief packages to this children through their parents. We are grateful for this foundation and individuals that are in support in giving out this package. This one is different because it has to do with the special children in our schools. In this school, we have the inclusive unit, this unit is where we have students with physical challenge and regular students coming together with children of school age without any discrimination and they receive basic education."

Ibikunle commended the people of Ikorodu Division for complying with the stay at home directive of the state government. He held that the level of compliance in Ikorodu has shown that residents and citizens of the Division are ready to partner with government to contain the pandemic of Coronavirus.

“COVID-19 is no respecter of race, sex, able or disable person, at this point in time, we must be committed to the well being of our people who could not go about their businesses because of the lockdown in the state. As as regard to this, despite facilitating this noble gesture from Punuka Foundation for the physically challenged people, I have equally as an individual gives N5,000 to hundreds of vulnerable and indigents across Ikorodu Division to cushion the hardship of COVID-19," Dr. Ibikunle explained.

He also lauded the efforts of the Lagos State Government at containing the outbreak of COVID-19 in Lagos State. "The proactive measures of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration has in no small way reduced the rate of contraction of the pandemic of Coronavirus in our dear State. No amount of hours that we spend at home to remain safe in time like this can be compared to loosing our previous lives to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic,” Ibikunle added.

He further admonished that people should not be weary of the habit of good hygeiene they have developed, saying that residents of Ikorodu Division must continue to maintain regular hand washing and staying safe.

Also, the representative of Punuka Foundation, Mr Mayowa Boluro Ajayi, said Punuka foundation is a subsidiary of Punuka harmonic, founded by Mrs Elisabeth Edugbe and solicitor in all firms that takes care of the children with physical challenge, because not every one in the society relate and take care of this children. That's why we are trying to reach out to people in this period of COVID-19 where we know it won't be easy for people.

"We are here to fill the gap of the government because the government can't be able to reach out to all the people. This is not our first outing in this period of COVID-19 but our first outing in Ikorodu, every February 14th, which is the Birthday of the founder of this foundation, we always make sure we go to different schools to give them at least 80℅ of what they are in need of, but hopefully we will come back to Ikorodu depending on how the lockdown goes," Mayowa explained.

"I will like to beseech all other Nigerians to cultivate same culture because if we leave this kind of gesture all alone to the hands of the government, the rate of crime which might be as a result of people staying at home without having what to eat will be increased," he added. 

Mrs Odunsi Fausat Abiodun, Head of Session, LGEA Ikorodu also appreciated the Punuka Foundation for their support towards the less privileged individuals, encouraging people to emulate the gesture because there is joy in giving and their is a reward for it.

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 Dr Saheed Ibikunle,  in the middle with Mr Mayowa of Punuka foundation, on white and Dr Fasakin Olumide.

 Some of the parents of the beneficiaries with Dr Ibikunle and others at the back role.

 Some of the items given

 Dr. Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle