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Beneficiaries of free fuel taking their turns at a filling station
A United Kingdom-based scholar and founder of Innocent Udoidiong Foundation, Mr Innocent Udoidiong, has donated free fuel to over 2,000 commercial motorcycle operators in some communities in Akwa Ibom State to ease the soaring cost of fuel occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy in the country.
This was contained in a statement in Uyo by the National Coordinator of the Foundation, Mr. Joseph Ekpo, on Tuesday.
The Foundation’s team led by Ekpo and media officer, Tony Esin, visited Utu Ikot Umonde and Urua Inyang in Eka Local Government Area, donating fuel to the beneficiaries.
In Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, beneficiaries crowded at a fuel station at Old Obo Market Square to fill their tanks with fuel.
Addressing the beneficiaries at Ikot Udobong in Ukanafun Local Government Area, Ekpo, who represented Udoidiong, charged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by reducing transportation fares in their localities
He explained that the charitable gesture is aimed at supporting local residents to maintain their livelihoods and care for their families as the country’s economic hardship bites harder.
He said, “Innocent Udoidiong Foundation is a beacon of hope and transformation established in 2021, to drive positive change and sustainable development, particularly in vulnerable communities of Nigeria.
“We are here today to provide relief to you to ease the high cost of fuel.
“We therefore charge you who are benefitting from this charitable gesture to pass it on by reducing the transportation fare.”
This philanthropic act, the statement further noted demonstrates Engr. Udoidiong’s commitment to supporting his community and enhancing the livelihoods of its residents.
The beneficiaries, after receiving fuel in their tanks and drums poured out blessings on the donor and prayed to God to continue to make him stand tall for humanity’s sake.
The President of Physically Challenged Persons in Ika, Ediomo Udombong, said, “On behalf of the receivers of this great gesture, I must commend Mr. Udoidiong. It is not easy. We have been facing a lot daily. As we are using this free fuel for our various businesses, we won’t forget to pray for him. May God bless him handsomely.”
Another beneficiary, Odudu Isaiah Philip, remarked, “My joy is that Mr. Innocent is not a politician, but a private individual. Let me tell you, some of us do follow politicians. Some of them hardly appreciate us. That is why I value this noble gesture.”
Also speaking, Ekpedeme Isaac Akpan from Ikot Udobong community in Ukanafun said, “This gesture will not go unrewarded. Innocent has reached out to us in this difficult time and we only pray God to bless him. This will go a long way to enable us to cater for our families.”
