By Dele Moses, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, has donated 100 per cent of his 10 months salary from May 29, 2019 to date to his administration’s efforts to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.
The Governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said prevention of spread of the virus or its management calls for sacrifice from everyone.
“Whereas our state has no confirmed case of Coronavirus as at now, we have been taking every step necessary to ensure we keep Kwara safe. Such measures have included keeping our people at home while we ramp up investments in our capacity to cope with this global health emergency.
“This time calls for sacrifice from everyone as humanity needs all the help it can get. For this reason, I am hereby donating 100 per cent of my monthly salary since May 29, 2019 when I was sworn in to our efforts to prevent this virus from getting to us, provide palliatives to our people, as well as boost our capacity to cope if it ever comes,” he stated.
The Governor also commended members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for donating half their monthly salary to the National efforts to fight the virus.
“I single out my brother and sister Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who are both ministers, for their roles in this humanitarian gesture. And, on behalf of the people and government of Kwara State, I express our deepest appreciation to Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu and Mr Tony Elumelu for their generous donations to Kwara State,” the statement added.
“It is against this background that I appeal to all well-meaning corporate bodies and individuals to emulate these great Nigerians by joining our efforts in Kwara State. Donations can be made to the Kwara State Technical Commitee. People may also donate food stuffs for release to the poor people to further ease our campaign to keep the virus out of Kwara.
“Finally, I have directed the technical committee on COVID-19 to begin distribution of palliatives, including food stuffs, to the people this week even as I call on everyone to stay at home and stay safe and maintain social distancing,” he said.