By Abel Johngold Orheruata
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) annual spread the spirit of Christmas and give hope by providing seasonal food parcels and children’s gifts to residents of host communities continued last Sunday, 20 December, 2020, the Hispaniola – X Deck of the association kicked off theirs in Okun – Alfa community in Lekki, Lagos.
Among those who received the NAS food items were families living on the brink of homelessness and struggling to afford food and heating alongside the expectations of the festive season. Including isolated adults and young people, with no friends or family to celebrate this special time of year with.
The Baale, Chiefs and elders of Okun Alfa Community in Lekki thunderously welcomed the Hispaniola X Deck of NAS to their community. The women and children trooped out dancing to celebrate the arrival of Seadogs in their usual yuletide celebration with Okun Alfa, Lekki Lagos.
While distributing the Christmas gifts and other food items, the Hispaniola X Deck of NAS led by the Cap’n Mr. Dere Imilar, used the opportunity to sensitized the community on the spread of Covid-19 and preventive measures otherwise known as Covid-19 Protocols.
“Our Christmas gifts and food items donation scheme is something we’re really passionate about, but this time we have to go beyond that by adding Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE). To provide this service, we rely on the generosity of our medical personnel. Please help us to spread the news to others that Covid-19 is real”. The Cap’n of Hispaniola X Deck of NAS noted.
Imilar disclosed that the event was the 5th year the Hispaniola X Deck had been donating to the host community without failing. And that the programme was themed “Make Them Happy For Christmas”.
The Eti-Osa Local Government Area Suipervisory Councillor Hon. Lateef Sanni and the Community Development Area (CDA) Secretary who joined supervising and coordinating beneficiaries during the distribution of the Christmas gifts and other food items commended the National Association of Seadogs for the yearly goodwill gesture towards their community.
The donated gifts and food items includes Bags of Rice, Cartons of King Vegetable Oil, Spaghetti, can Tomatoes, can Titus Sardines, can Geishas, assorted items and drinks, freshyo and yoghurt drinks for the children.
In his remark, the 2nd Mate of the Hispaniola X Deck of NAS, Mr. Victor Dorgu who thanked the Baale, chiefs, elders, people of Okun Alfa and the Eti-Osa Local Government Area representatives for their hospitality to NAS, noted that the successful implementation of the Program has renewed the bond between NAS and the Host Community.