The Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc has extended its annual Christmas outreach by donating food and clothing worth millions of naira to two deserving organizations in Edo State: the Roseluyi Exceptional Students Academy and the Home for the Needy Foundation, located at the Ohodua IDP Camp. This charitable endeavor aligns with the company’s ongoing commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.
The company’s representatives visited both centers, delivering essential supplies intended to support vulnerable children and displaced families during the Christmas season. The donations encompassed a wide array of items designed to alleviate hardship and spread festive cheer.
The donated items included:
Staple foods: Bags of rice, beans, and garri, as well as tubers of yam, providing essential sustenance.
Convenience foods: Cartons of noodles and semovita, offering quick and easy meal options.
Beverages and snacks: A selection of beverages and biscuits, adding a touch of indulgence to the season.
Hygiene products: Toilet rolls, promoting cleanliness and sanitation.
Cooking essentials: Okomu Banga palm oil, a vital ingredient in local cuisine.
Apparel: Clothes and shoes, providing warmth and comfort.
During the presentation of the items, Okomu’s Communication Officer, Fidelis Olise, emphasized the significance of Christmas as a time for compassion and shared humanity. He articulated the company’s motivation for the outreach, stating, “As a company, we are glad to be doing this. Christmas is a time to show love, spread joy, and demonstrate the values that epitomise Christ, who is the reason for the season. Providing these items is our way of ensuring that these children celebrate Christmas in a joyful and dignified way. No one should be left behind.”
Olise further explained that the outreach reflects Okomu’s core philosophy of community support, adding, “Okomu always wants to see that everyone enjoys the best possible life. This outreach underscores our belief in community support and shared humanity. We want these children and families to feel remembered, especially at a time when many are facing hardship.”
The recipients of the donations expressed profound gratitude for Okomu’s generosity. Rosemary Isaac-Aluyi, Director of the Roseluyi Exceptional Students Academy, hailed the gesture as timely and impactful. “This is an uncommon gesture from Okomu, and it will go a very long way,” she said. “Raising these children requires resources that are not always available. Support like this helps us provide food, stability, and the basic comforts every child deserves.”
At the Ohodua IDP Camp, displaced families expressed their appreciation through songs and heartfelt words. Pastor Evelyn Omigie, who accepted the items on behalf of the center, remarked that the donation brought renewed hope to the residents.
One of the beneficiaries at the IDP camp shared their sentiments, stating, “To us, Okomu is like an angel sent by God to celebrate Christmas with us in an uncommon way. This gesture shows that people still care about our well-being.”
Okomu Oil Palm Company has established its Christmas outreach as a yearly tradition, benefiting hundreds of households in the communities surrounding its operations. The company has affirmed its commitment to expanding the initiative in the future, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of vulnerable groups within its operational area. The company views this outreach as an integral part of its broader commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development.
