The first lady of Cross River State, Dr. Linda Ayade has stated that during periods of crisis like what is being experienced now, women remain the most affected demography.
Mrs. Ayade who said this while receiving relief materials donated by Bet9ja agents in the State through her organization, Cross River Women Empowerment Initiative (CROWEI), insisted that women deserve all the support they can get and there is nothing to be considered too big to help alleviate their plight.
The First Lady added that “Those who are at the bottom of all of this are the women. In every home, there is a woman, and even most one parented families are run by women who take care of the children, and they are the ones that feel the brunt the most. It is the mothers that feel the brunt when the family is hungry and there is nothing for the children to eat every member vents their anger of the effect of hunger on the mothers.
Mrs. Ayade explained that Government is doing all within its powers to ensure that the state records no case of coronavirus which is what necessitated the partial lockdown of the state and total shutdown of entry points into the state. She acknowledged that these have economic consequences not just to the state but to individuals and it is, therefore, important that the Government supports the citizens and neighbors look after each other.
On his part, the leader of the delegation of the bet9ja agents, Mr. Michael Eja said they are donating the items because they as Bet9ja agents are aware of the effect of COVID-19 around the world and Cross River in particular and that whatever they are donating is to help the families the items will get to get through the period.
“Also, this donation is also in support of the effort of Governor Ben Ayade towards fighting the virus. We understand that while there is a shutdown a lot of families will be hungry and therefore need assistance, and we felt should use CROWEI with its well grassroots network to reach everyone”.
Also speaking, the chairperson of CROWEI, Mrs. Lauretta Ita, thanked the group for their donations and promised that the items will reach those who need them.
The items donated included bags of rice, cartons of tomatoes and vegetable oil.
