BENIN CITY – Management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc in Udo, near Benin in Edo, has urged multinationals operating in Nigeria to consider the interest of humanity above business profit margin during this trying period of the ravaging Coronavirus disease ( COVID-19) globally.
Dr Graham Hefer, Managing Director of Okomu oil palm said this when he presented food items to 19 different communities around the plantations of its extension 1 and 2 in Ovia South West local Uhunmwode, Ovia North East local government area, to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Hefer, who was represented by Mr Ikponmwosa Osunbor, Human Resources manager, called on other multinationals doing business in Nigeria to look beyond profits and consider the interest of the people first.
” Notwithstanding the fact that the global economy has nosedived and companies like us and others are finding it difficult to sell our products, this is not the time to put profits before people.
” it is no news that the world is in a state of crisis, a crisis that is occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought sorrow and tears to families worldwide.
” in as much as COVID-19 has led to death on many people, it had also provided an opportunity for us, the survivors, to bring forth our humanity to others by endeavoring to assist those vulnerable members of our society who may have been advservley affected by the ongoing pandemic.
” This is especially so for the elderly, the womenfolk and the young children within our neighbouring communities.
“But to rather find a place in our hearts that fulfil the biblical the biblical adage that says ‘it is from adversity that a brother is brother is born.
“Consequently upon the above the Okomu board management, once again would like to show our solidarity and support to our neighbours.
“More especially those who are most vulnerable, by handing these bags of rice beans and banga oil to the community for distribution to those vulnerable members as palliatives in this hour of need.
“In all, we are distributing these items to the 19 communities around our three plantations and hope these items will provide some measure of fespite to the beneficiaries during this difficult lick down.
The Iyase of Udo dukedom, His Royal highness, Patrick Ekhorutomwen Igbinidu, JP, thanked Okomu oil for the food items, saying it would ameliorate the sufferings of the people especially the aged and children.
Mr Clement Seje chairman ijaw community in Ofunama in Ovia South West LGA, who received the items on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked Okomu management for the gesture, saying ” this is the first relief materials from either government or organisation since the lockdown.
” We will ensure that it will get to those for whose sake the food items have been brought,’ he said.
