By Obio Monday
26/04/2020

Against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic and its attendant hardship on vulnerable people, Ben Akak Foundation (BAF) has donated food items worth millions of naira and cash to Ukwa Eburutu communities in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Cross River State Branch and the Muslim community in Cross River State.
The foundation had made similar donations to the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists , NUJ, Cross River State. It also donated medical supplies and N1m cash to the Cross River State Government.


Donates To Ukwa Eburutu Communities

BAF Founder and President, Engr. Ben Akak Presenting Cash donation to the leader of the Muslim community in Cross River State

It is often said that charity begins at home. This was demonstrated by the Ben Akak Foundation whose President and Founder, Engr. Ben Akak is an indigene of the community.

Before proceeding to the palace of the Paramount Chief of Ukwa Eburutu, the foundation carried out enlightenment campaign on the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic, calling on the people of the community to maintain social distance, use face mask when going out, regular hand washing, avoid large gatherings and obey government directives on face mask, social and religious activities, amongst others.

Speaking at the Palace of the Paramount Chief, Pastor Cyril Akak who represented the Founder and President of Ben Akak Foundation, Engr. Ben Akak said “Ben Akak Foundation, worried by the untold hardship the outbreak of Covid-19 has brought to the people including the rural communities and as part of its effort to complement what the state government under the leadership of Sir Prof. Ben Ayade is doing, decided to take its humanitarian gestures to communities, believing that charity begins at home”.

He advised communities in Ukwa Eburutu to observe social distance and the use of facemask ” Covid-19 does not respect social, religious or political status. Our neighbouring states have recorded cases of the pandemic, as such, we must do everything possible to ensure that it doesn’t find its way into our community and Cross River State.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Needs, Mr. Stephen Oko said his office has been working with the foundation, adding that what BAF is doing is worthy of emulation. He called on other well meaning individuals, corporate bodies to support the state government’s effort in the fight against the dreaded virus.

Receiving the items, the Paramount Chief and Grand Patriarch of Ukwa Eburutu, Etinyin Ndarake Owott thanked BAF and its founder, Engr. Ben Akak for his kind gesture, and for remembering his hometown in his numerous humanitarian and philanthropic gestures. He prayed God to bless and protect him.

Items donated included bags of rice, cartons of salt, tomatoes, groundnut oil, cartons of Indomie noodles, cartons of maggi, face mask, hand sanitizers and cash.


See photos of items donated to Ukwa Eburutu communities, CAN and Muslim community

Food items donated to Muslim community by BAF

Food items donated to CAN by BAF

Chairman of CAN, Cross River State speaking at the donation

Items donated to Ukwa Eburutu communities by BAF