Hon. Jamilu Umaru Dahiru, member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly has called on Igbo community in Bauchi State to help the state government confront the scourge of coronavirus by donating generously to the state taskforce on COVID19 and Lassa fever as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
Jamilu Dahiru made the called on Sunday when he summoned a meeting with leaders and representatives of Igbo community in Bauchi.
He argued that the Igbo community in Bauchi owns major shops and businesses in the state, hence the need to reciprocate the gesture “especially in this trying moments”.
Jamilu Dahiru said “the Igbos in Bauchi hold the economic nerve of the state in terms of trades and other businesses, they are richer than anyone in the state; therefore they should reciprocate the gesture by graciously supporting the state government fight the scourge of coronavirus”.
The lawmaker who said without Igbos in Bauchi State, the fate of businesses would have remained doomed urged them to donate in cash or kinds in order to support the state taskforce in reducing the effect and contain the spread of the dreaded coronavirus.
Also Speaking, the District Head of Bauchi Alhaji Nura Adamu Jumba who commended the lawmaker for summoning the meeting also regretted that the new leadership of the Igbo community in Bauchi has not paid him any familiarization visit let alone collaborate with him on developmental issues affecting the metropolis.
Alhaji Adamu who commended the Igbo community for living in peace with other tribes, urged them to support the state government “in kind or cash” in order to cushion the effect of covid-19 in Bauchi.
“You may recall that the first person to tests positive for the virus was his Excellency the Executive Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed, so you imagine what that means for Bauchi State, and that is why we are calling on wealthy individuals to also support.
“Banks and other corporate bodies are doing the same thing, so I’m calling on the Igbo community to also do same”, he said.
Responding, the President General of the Igbo community in Bauchi Engr. Dominic Nkwocha who attributed the inability of the Igbo community to make donations to calls for self isolation and social distancing assured that they will respond appropriately.
“It was a very serious oversight on our side, but I want to assure the people of Bauchi State that we have always proud to be associated with them and we shall quickly call a meeting and respond as quickly as possible”, Engr. Dominic said.
