Veteran Nollywood actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, fondly known as RMD, has donated a live cow to the Ewu-Okuama Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The popular film maker made the presentation of the gift on Monday at the IDP Camp in Ewu town, traditional headquarters of Ewu Kingdom.
Residents of Okuama community have been living at the IDP Camp since April following the reprisal attack and destruction of the community by military operatives over the gruesome killing of 17 military personnel by unknown gunmen around the riverine community.
RMD, while presenting the cow gift to the management of the camp, noted that the gesture was in solidarity with the innocent people of Okuama who were sacked from their homes over the dastardly and unfortunate killing of their soldiers action of the gunmen.
Represented by the Chairman of the Ewu-Okuama IDP Committee, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, RMD condemned the killings of the military personnel and the subsequent destruction of the community by soldiers on reprisal attack.
The legendary actor, who hails from Aladja in Udu, condoled with the people of Okuama over their current predicament, adding that as an Urhobo, his family shares in their pains.
He commended the efforts of the Delta State Government under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for providing temporary shelter for the IDPs as well as the commencement of rebuilding of destroyed houses including schools, hospital and other public property in the town.
Ogbodo, while making the presentation on behalf of RMD, said, “Last Saturday said our illustrious son and award-winning global actor sent to the camp account the sum of N800,000 to purchase a live cow for the feeding of our people at the Okuama IDP camp. Luckily enough, we got the cow for N750,000.
“RMD stands in solidarity with our Okuama people who have been camped in this place since April this year. Our joy is that RMD could listen to cry and pains of the children and women in the camp. We are very much honoured to receive such a support from our Urhobo brother (RMD).”
Ogbodo, a former Editor of the Guardian Newspaper, commended the the Urhobo-born actor for the gesture, saying the cow will meet the protien need of the camp.
He called on more spirited individuals, particularly Urhobos, to support the IDPs with feeding and other areas of needs.
He disclosed that the state government shut down the camp by December this to enable the IDPs return to their ancestral homes in Okuama.
Meanwhile, the IDP Camp Commandant, Mr. Austin Ohwofaria, has also presented food items and cash gift to the management of the camp for the feeding of the IDPs.
Ohwofaria stated that he was moved to make the donation, despite being the Camp Commandant, due to task of feeding the displaced persons.
Items donated by the Camp Commandant were two bags of garri and a N30,000 cash gift to support the cooking of food for the Okuama IDP.
