Customs distributes 17,000 bags of rice, other items to 44 orphanages

By Uzor Odigbo

Nigeria Customs Service said it had distributed about 17,000 bags of 50kg rice; 915 hurricane of 25 litres of vegetable oil and 242 bales of clothing materials to 44 orphanages in Lagos within 10 days.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah gave the hint in a press release on Thursday.

According to him, some of the orphanages include; Little Saints Orphanage home, Tender Hearts Children home, Sisters of mother Theresa, Babs el Salam orphanage among others.

He stressed that a total of 4,028 children were the beneficiaries of the relief materials given to the orphanages.

Quoting the Chairman of the sub-committee on distribution of relief items to IDPs and Orphanages, Comptroller Yakubu Salihu, he said the exercise had been encouraging as well as going on smoothly.

Salihu was quoted as saying that the committee was put together by the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Alli, promising that the four zones of the Service would be covered.

The release stated: “Nigeria Customs Service sub committee on distribution of relief items to IDPs and orphanages continue to distribute rice, vegetable oil and bales of clothing materials to orphanage homes in Lagos.

“The Chairman of the sub Committee, Comptroller Yakubu Salihu said, so far a total of 16, 947 of 50kg bags of rice, 915 Jerricans of 25 litres each and 242 bales of clothing materials have been distributed to 44 orphanages in lagos. The cumulative number of children in these orphanages are 4028.

“He said so far the response has been encouraging and the exercise going smoothly.

“Salihu said his team was put together by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col, Hameed Ibrahim Ali rtd to implement the Presidential directive to the Service to extend distribution of these essential items to less previlage and vulnerable Nigerians.

“The on going distribution exercise will cover the four zones of the Service and expected to affect all identified and verified IDPs and orphanages across the country.