Wale JAGUN & Azeez MATANMI
The Federal lawmaker representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly, Hon. Babajimi Olagoke Benson, has indeed shown that his Foodbank program, initiated about a year ago through his iCare foundation, is here to stay.
The program, since its inception in 2017, has been giving succor to the less privileges, disables, elderly persons and other people in needs through the monthly distribution of food items nonstop.
This November, 500 residents across the six council areas that made up of Ikorodu Division benefitted from the program once again.
According to the organisers of the Foodbank program, the laudable initiative was designed to prevent residents, particularly the indigent ones across the division, from going to bed without food.
Hon .Babajimi Benson, while speaking at the event, stated that the foodbank program is not politically motivated but an initiative to support homes.
“Foodbank program is not to win people’s hearts, rather, what we are doing is to support our people and enable them to feed themselves for a while.
He appealed to the electorate to vote for all the candidates on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections, starting from the President, for continuation of progressive development in the country.
The lawmaker also urged them to vote for him to enable him continue the food support which according to him, has been planned to be sustainable.
He also assured those at the event that the APC Gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, would be a listening Governor.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul-Semiudeen Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, in his royal speech, commended the lawmaker and described his gesture as a show of love and care for his people.
Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, former acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, also commended the iCare Foodbank initiative.
Also, the duo of Yeye Fausat Gbadebo, former Chairperson, Ijede Local Council Development Area ( LCDA), and Lagos West Women leader and Hon. Wasiu Agoro , Chairman, Imota LCDA, described the lawmaker as a thoughtful and supportive representative who has the interest of his people at heart.
Comrade Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, while commending the lawmaker, stated that one of the most important jobs in the world is to feed the people.
Mrs Bolajoko Fadipe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Food Clique Support Organization, while stating that the intention of the lawmaker and his iCare Foundation is to end hunger, also enjoined parents to teach their children and wards how not to waste food.
She also described Hon. Benson as his role model and mentor because he has helped him built her organization despite that he is from another constituency.
THE IMPACT spoke with some of the beneficiaries and they commended the initiative as exemplary and remarkable.
Mrs.Oluwakemi Salisu from Ijede :
“It’s a very good initiative.We hope other people are seeing what he is doing. His gesture is really making the women happy. He should continue with the good work.”
Mrs.Ayo Arogudaji, from Ayobanjo street, Igbogbo:
“Hon. Babajimi Benson is a very good man and I am very grateful to him. God will continue to uplift him.”
Monisola Oshinaike, Ikorodu Central :
“I have been attending this programme since but I have not been opportuned to benefit until today. This is a wonderful experience. His good deeds will continue to speak for him.”
Mrs.Oludayo Omotayo, from Ijede :
“He has been performing wonders since his election. I am very grateful and appreciative of this gesture. He deserves to get a re-election ticket and he will surely win the 2019 election because he is the people’s choice.”
