Kunle ADELABU
-Says exercise will be periodic
The Representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives in Abuja, Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, on Saturday, August 11,2018, provided 150 market men and women picked from the six councils in Ikorodu division with N20,000 each to support their businesses.
The traders received the cash donation, which was described as another phase of the lawmaker’s upliftment programme, at the Hon. Benson Federal Constituency Office located along Igbogbo/Ipakodo Road,Ikorodu.
Hon. Benson, speaking at the brief programme, was full of thanks to the traders for their unflinching supports and cooperation.
“I’m happy that today not because we are supporting you with money but because we called on you and you answered us.
“For three years, you stood by me despite the fact that we did not unfold our programmes to you, and each time we called on you, you never turned us down.
“I know that you all are aware of the enormity of our work, particularly when you consider the largeness of our federal constituency which has six councils. Many of my colleagues are with two or one local government.
“The issue of market men and women has been troubling my mind and today, we are unveiling another aspect of our upliftment programme which is also the first phase of our upliftment for the market men and women.
“Today, we shall be given N20,000 each to 25 marketers in each of the 6 councils in my federal constituency. We are giving you as business support and without any string attached.
“It’s free and you are not to pay back, but I want you to consider it as a seed and not something you will go and expended on social activities or other unproductive ventures.
“As a seed, it should be invested in your business and and it must yield and expand your business.
While also speaking, Mayor Deen Sanwoola, the Director-General of iCare Foundation, the operational team of Hon. Benson, stated that the intention of the scheme is to meaningfully empower the market men and women who have been very supportive of Hon. Benson and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stated that they expected the leadership of the markets in the next edition of the proigramme to put forward names of traders who are not among the current beneficiaries.
“Since our aim is to impact on the market men and women who are truly in need, we expect the market leaders to give us names of those not benefitting today in the subsequent editions of the exercise.
“If our programme is to have the desired impact, we have to touch the businesses of those traders who truly needs our assistance but do not have access to us.”
He also listed other achievements of the lawmaker which he described as unequalled.
“Aside our upliftment programme, we have been able to construct eight schools. We have provided employment opportunities for many youths in Ikorodu division and through our startup programmes, many have also been empowered. These are just some of the many achievements of Hon. Benson.
Alhaja Oloyede Risikat, the iCare Woman Leader, stated, “This programme is our way of appreciating the market men and women for their supports”
Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, former Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeiku Local Council Development Area, while calling for more attention on markets in Ikorodu, assured Hon Benson of the massive supports from the traders for his re-election.
Other dignatories that attended the event were Comrade Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeiku LCDA, Hon. Adeola Banjo, Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA and Alhaja (Chief) Mrs Risikat Allison, Iyaloja General of Ikorodu Division among others.
