·Group visits Ndinwibokote in Ebonyi, donates sanitary items to mark humanitarian Day
Coretta Scott King’s words “the true measure of a community’s greatness lies in the compassion its members show towards one another” resonate deeply with the mission of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI) in Ebonyi State.
On October 15, in observance of its 2024 Humanitarian Day, the humanitarian group, guided by its motto “Service to humanity,” reached out to the devastated residents of Ndinwibokote, Ezza-Inyimegu in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
This community, home to approximately 9,000 residents and bordering Benue State, is still reeling from a recent tragedy. A cholera outbreak in September claimed at least 14 lives and left many hospitalized.
Chief Stephen Nwankpuma, a community leader, linked the fatalities to the burial of a woman in the area, during which attendees consumed cow meat served at the ceremony. He alleged that those who ate the meat were among the first to fall ill, with some ultimately succumbing to the bacterial disease.
“Those who went to the burial ate a cow that was killed and prepared in a very dirty environment. Their community is located in the remotest part of the state. In fact, it shares boundary with Benue State.
“There is no good source of water in the area. The only borehole in the area is no longer functional. The only source of water there now is a pond or stream and it is very dirty.
“The situation is worsened by the heavy rain falling this period which flowed into the stream carrying all the wastes with it and probably contaminating the pond,” he said.
Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma blamed the outbreak on poor hygienic practices by the people.
He urged them to adopt good hygienic practices such as stoppage of open defecation, washing their hands regularly, covering their food and drinking clean water.
Touched by the plights of residents of the rural community, members of the Ebonyi State Chapter of DNKI visited the hard-to-reach area and donated sanitary items to equip them against cholera and other diseases.
The trip to the place was sheer display of compassion, courage and perseverance. The village has no road, hospital, water, light and other things that make life meaningful.
It was indeed a difficult journey though worthwhile as vehicles of the members were trapped in the mud because of the deplorable state of the road leading to the village.
It was a three-hour journey and it rained heavily that day. At some spots, the DNKI members including journalists, pulled off their clothes under the rain to retrieve their trapped vehicles and continue the journey. It took time before the vehicles were pulled out.
Addressing the residents of the community, Governor of the Kclub in the state, Okenwa Ukah, said the group was touched by the reports it got concerning cholera outbreak that killed many persons there and resolved to visit, console them and also give them items to fight the disease.
He said that De Norsemen Kclub International is a registered humanitarian association which has been providing succour to the less-privileged in the society including in Nigeria and abroad.
Ukah who is the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Francis Nwifuru on Security (Ebonyi South), said: “Last two years, we were at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki where we paid hospital bills for indigent patients.
“Last year, we went to the motherless babies’ home and old people’s home in Abakaliki. This year, we got reports that this community was devastated by cholera. We learnt that this disease killed 14 members of this village.
“We decided that we must visit this village to console you people and give you what we brought to you as our little way to help you in this moment you need help.
“We brought what you will be using to keep your environment clean to avoid this disease. We brought you clothes, buckets, cartons of detergents, antiseptics, toiletries, hand gloves, nose masks. What is necessary in this type of thing is the heart to give, please accept us the way you see us.”
Village head of the area, Moses Nwebonyi commended the group for visiting them and donating the items. He said the materials will help them to keep safe against the disease.
Elsewhere, members of the DNKI in commemoration of their Humanitarian Day, also visited a patient at the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre (NOFIC), Abakaliki and paid her medical bill.
The group wrapped up the day’s activities with a social outing involving members, friends and their families.
[Culled from Daily Sun]
