Stakeholders in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have come forward to debunk claims made in a viral online video regarding the distribution of palliatives in the Sokeye community. The video alleged that only one 10kg bag of rice was given to be shared among households in the community.
During a meeting called by the council’s leadership to address the distribution of the palliatives, stakeholders unanimously praised the effective and transparent formula used to share the bags of rice, deeming it the best they’ve ever witnessed in the state.
Bishop Ezekiel Olukunle, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the committee responsible for sharing and monitoring the palliatives, dismissed the viral video as a malicious attempt to discredit the distribution process. He urged the public to disregard its contents, stating, “CAN received 1000 bags of rice intended for our vulnerable members. We diligently shared these among the communities, and Sokeye received its fair share. The claim that only one bag was meant for the entire estate is false and baseless. The individual behind the video clearly has ulterior motives and should be ignored.”
Dr. Saheed Adeleye, who represented the Muslim Community on the sharing committee, corroborated Bishop Olukunle’s statement, expressing his admiration for the distribution formula used. He also revealed that over 165 bags of rice were allocated to the needy in the Sokeye community. He added, “The person behind the video is a known opposition agent who has never contributed to the development of our area. We, the Muslim Community, received 1000 bags of rice and ensured that they reached the vulnerable members of our community. This same community is being falsely portrayed in the video.”
The Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC) covering the Sokeye Estate, Mr. Babalola Samuel Olakunle, disclosed that 2000 bags of rice were provided to the CDC for distribution among various communities. He also stated that the individual behind the video refused to participate in the distribution efforts. Mr. Olakunle clarified, “The bag of rice displayed in the video was specifically given to him for an identified vulnerable widow in his estate, not for the entire community. He is being manipulated by opposition politicians to tarnish the image of the government. We know him very well, and we can vouch for his questionable intentions.”
Additioanlly, Chief Mrs. Kemi Ogunleye, the Iyaloja of the Obafemi Owode LGA, explained how market women received 1000 bags of rice as palliatives. She stated, “We shared the rice among our people, and over 60 bags were given to market women in Sokeye, where the individual in the video resides. He is spreading falsehoods out of anger because the system has changed.”
Chief Kasumu Jamiu Sonola, the Baale of Asese community and Chairman of the Council of Baales in the LGA, revealed that he took delivery of 1000 bags of rice on behalf of the Council. He emphasized, “We did not keep the rice for ourselves. We distributed it to the needy in our respective communities, including Sokeye. The individual behind the video is clearly not telling the truth. I personally ensured that the rice reached the intended beneficiaries.”
The Olu of Obafe and Chairman of the Council of Obas in the LGA, Oba Taofeek Owolabi, applauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for his transparent and efficient distribution of the palliatives. He expressed his surprise at the existence of the video, stating, “This method of distributing the palliatives is the best we have seen in Ogun State. It is unfortunate that some individuals aim to tarnish this fantastic initiative. I appreciate Governor Abiodun and everyone involved in the distribution process. Even we, the Kabyesis, received 500 bags of rice which we distributed to our people.”
Addressing the public, the Chairman of Obafemi Owode LGA, Hon. Lanre Ogunsola Adesina, urged everyone to disregard the viral video, commending the palliative distribution committee for their excellent work. He said, “The process began with the composition of a palliative distribution committee, which was inaugurated at the local government secretariat on 26th September 2023. The committee members represented various groups such as traditional leaders, religious associations, youth groups, women associations, and security agencies. It is unfortunate that the individual in the video misrepresented the facts. The bag of rice shown in the video was meant for a vulnerable person within the community, as intended by the distribution plan. Several other members of the community received their rice through various channels, including the Baales, market associations, community development associations, religious associations, youth councils, people with disabilities, and security agencies.”
Following a close examination of the video, the council suspects that the CDA chairman of Sokeye deliberately acted to undermine the government’s efforts to aid the vulnerable. Hon. Adesina concluded, “The actions and statements of the CDA chairman are politically motivated by the opposition. We urge the public to disregard the viral video, as its sole purpose is to tarnish the excellent reputation of Governor Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun (CON).”
