As part of the efforts to cushion the effect of the lockdown occasioned by dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19) to some communities around their operational base, Arik Air, which is under the management of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has donated palliative items to some communities in Lagos State. The lockdown brought untold hardship to Nigerians especially people whose survival is dependent on a daily means of income.
Even as the lockdown as well as suspension of aviation operations grounded all airlines in Nigeria and across the globe, Arik activated its outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative with the donation of essential basic food items such as rice and beans. The areas the airline covered by the donation includes Ewu-Tuntun/Mafoluku community around the Murtala Muhammed Airport and Arigbanla Community in Orile-Agege in Lagos, the epicentre as far as COVID-19 is concerned in the country.
The presentation of the food items was made on behalf of the management of Arik Air by officials of the airline led by its Head of Business, Central/West Africa, Sylvester Egogo and Manager PR & Communications, Adebanji Ola. The Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu said the donation of food items to the communities was part of the airline’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its contribution to government’s efforts at ameliorating the impact of the pandemic on the most vulnerable in the society.
Receiving the items, the representative of the Ewu-Tuntun/Mafoloku community and Chairman of Abolaji/Osundeyi Community Development Association (CDA), Otunba Nathaniel Osho commended Arik Air for its show of love and promised that the palliative will get to the poorest of the poor in the community. Similarly, the First Vice Chairman of Ifelodun CDA, Pastor Abe Kehinde described the airline’s move as highly commendable and worthy of emulation. He told the Arik team that, “This is the first time we are receiving such items in this community and we are grateful.”