LGBTIQ Nigerians receive COVID-19 relief support amidst struggles with the pandemic

Dozens of LGBTIQ+ Nigerians have recently benefited from a COVID-Relief Support Fund launched in late July.

From the African Human Rights Media Network

By Mike Daemon

LGBTIQ+ Nigerians continue to struggle to survive in a homophobic clime such as Nigeria. From state-sponsored homophobia to blackmail and extortion by security agents and anti-LGBT criminals.

Also, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, life has become even much harder for many LGBT persons in the country including other vulnerable groups.

Many LGBTIQ+ persons including activists have highlighted several issues such as loss of jobs, homelessness, hunger, and limited or restricted access to health care services due to the imposed lockdowns in various parts of the country.

As an LGBTIQ+ led and focused organization NoStringsNG decided to step in.

After securing a COVID-19 support grant from a U.S-based charity in July, a call for applications was put out. However, out of the dozens of people that applied, due to limited funding, only 220 persons were selected and received support for food supplies.

Kingsley Kalu, one of the beneficiaries of the fund, was deeply shocked to have been selected to receive the grant.

“How do I pit this? You know that feeling when you’re not expecting anything, and Boom!!! You got something?? That’s how I felt. Both relieved and favored. To the Sponsors, I’m very grateful and I do pray happy many returns. Thanks a lot. He wrote.

Also, Adetunji Titilademi who had pending bills to take care of expressed his gratitude and felt relieved when he got the grant.

He wrote: “I felt really happy. I got a credit alert when I needed it the most and that really helped me take care of some much-needed expenses. I really really really appreciate the support and I want to thank the creators of this funding programme. I still need whatever help I can get but this money really really did help me take care of pressing things. Thank you so much!

Obi Olivia who has been struggling financially for a long time since the pandemic, was ecstatic when he received the funds.

“I’m so thankful , till now words are not enough to express my gratitude and how i feel when i received the fund, it was indeed a struggling period and you gave me a ray of hope, it means a lot to me. Thank you so much” she wrote.