Succour For Anambra Flood Victims

.A catholic church submerged at Atani

The heavens opened up bountifully this year. And rather than thank God for the rains, some families are telling stories of misery and despair. Some of these people are residents of Anambra West and Anambra East Local Government areas as well as Ogbaru area of the Anambra State.

Flood has continued to ravage their communities, leaving in its trail tears and sorrow. The communities involved have appealed to local, state and federal governments as well as public-spirited individuals to come to their aid.  But given the enormity of the floods, even the state government has called for further assistance from the federal government and private sector individuals.

Last week, one philanthropist and business mogul came to the aid of the communities. He is Dr. Obinna Uzoh, chairman/chief executive officer of GOCUZ Group Limited. Uzoh donated relief materials to the affected communities under the auspices of Obinna Uzoh Foundation.

Uzoh bought food items which included bags of rice, vegetable oil, salt, tin tomatoes and other edibles worth more than N5 million to the affected areas. When he beheld the devastation of the area and the condition of the affected people, he was further moved, promising to assist in other ways possible.

During the visit, at the Anambra East, his first port of call, Uzoh sympathised with the traditional ruler, Igwe Idigo, in his palace. In attendance were cabinet chiefs and a large crowd of villagers. They were happy that Uzoh left his businesses and family to identify with them in time of sorrow. Addressing the people, Uzoh said he was moved by their plight and therefore, decided to make his own contribution to alleviate their sufferings.  He urged them to be steadfast and expressed the hope that God Almighty would soon give them cause to smile again soon.

“When I heard about the flood, I decided that it was better I come here and see things for myself. What I have seen today makes my heart to bleed. I have seen how our people have been displaced, how farmland has been submerged and how roads have been covered by water. This is unprecedented. This is why I have come to tell you to take heart, be strong and have faith in God,” Uzor said.

“We Anambra people are known to be strong,” he continued. “We withstand and overcome tragedies. I know we will overcome this one. Please, accept this token I have come with. This is my humble contribution in the effort to ameliorate the suffering of flood victims. Keep hope alive. This problem will also pass and we will live our normal lives again.”

The philanthropist called on public-spirited individuals to assist Anambra State to take care of the flood victims, at this time of agony.

Igwe Idigo thanked Uzoh for his benevolence and kind-heartedness, praying that God would reward him abundantly. One of the flood victims and beneficiary of Uzoh’s gesture, Mrs. Ngozi Ejiofor, said they were overwhelmed by the philanthropist’s kindness. She said that Uzoh was the first individual to come personally to sympathise with the flood victims as well as give them relief materials. Uzoh also visited Anambra West Local Government Area and other areas in the state affected by the flood.