Kunle Adelabu
In his usual character, Hon Babajimi Benson, the Representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, and his political machinery, iCare foundation, on Friday, November 14, 2019, feted his constituents as a way of thanking them for their support for his representation.
At the well-attended event tagged, ‘End of Year Get-Together’, were political chieftains, military officers, community leaders, political office holders across Ikorodu division, social media influencers among others.
The occasion, which was also used to solicit for continuous support and cooperation from the constituents, the two-term lawmaker surprised four members of his party, All Progressives Congress (APC), with car gifts.
Beneficiaries of this year’s car gifts are Captain Ade Benson, a chieftain of APC, Hon. Hassan Sheu Aganga, a former Councilor representing Ward C4 (Owode Ibeshe) in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, Mrs Sherifat Dolapo, a member of APC and Mr Jimoh Yusuf, also a party member.
Meanwhile, in his opening speech, Pastor Bayo Oteju, the senior legislative aide to Hon. Benson, stated that the gathering was Hon. Benson’s political family’s way of saying thank you to those that supported his representation and loyal party members.
While stating that the lawmaker’s coast has continuously been expanded, he added that there may be need to stage next year’s end of the year party at a bigger hall because of space.
He called for more support from the people for the lawmaker in subsequent years.
Also speaking, Mayor Deen Sanwoola, the Director-General of iCare Foundation, thanked the constituents in Ikorodu Federal Constituency for their support for Hon. Benson, while also promising that iCare would come up with more innovations that would be geared towards improving the lives of the people in the coming years.
Hon. Benson, who is the Chairman, House Representatives Chairman Committee on Defense, in his address, thanked his constituents for their supports and the invitees for gracing this year’s edition of the end of the year get-together event while also announcing the four beneficiaries of this year’s end of the year car gifts.
He stated that the beneficiaries are deserving of the gestures because of their loyalty.
As a tradition by iCare foundation, gifts were exchanged amongst members of the group as a way of expressing love and affection for one another.
There were lots of food and drinks for the guests that graced the occasion while many took to the dance floor to dance as a way of giving thanks to God for another successful year and in appreciation of Hon. Benson’s gestures.
A community developer, social media influencer and public analyst, Mr Monday Ohi Obadan, commenting on the event stated:
“It was a well organised and packaged event (good music, lots of food and drinks, secured venue, well-coordinated and choreographed activities, great speeches). However, a centralized and bigger venue should be considered for future event to accommodate more people as I can predict an offshoot of a “political carnival” emerging from this iCare’s end of year event.
“Ikorodu has one big political family. It is magnanimous of JB to recognise and eulogise all elected and appointed political officials in the Ikorodu division (past and present) including those who were not in attendance. That, to me, was a political maturity and sagacity. Truly JB cares!”, he stated while commending the lawmaker for his exemplary gestures.
“JB (as Hon. Benson is fondly called by constituents and fans) has a great team that is always evolving and often think out of the box, notably Deen Sowoola and Pastor Bayo Oteju”.
Comrade Francis Mani Shonunbi, the AAC Lagos East Senatorial flag bearer, in his own remarks, descrbed the event as a wonderful moment.
“It’s a wonderful moment meeting with Prof Tayo Odesanya and many others that we have been relating with one another on the social media platforms at the Hon. JB’s party. It’s a colourful meeting. Salute”.
Prominent individuals at the gathering were Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Princess Adenrele Ogunsanya, former Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Chief Adenrele Olowu, APC Chieftain, Hon. (Chief) Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, former acting Commissioner for Tourism and Special Adviser on Arts & Culture, Lagos State, Alhaji Anifowoshe, APC Chieftain, Ikorodu West LCDA, Alhaji Taiwo Longe, APC Chairman, Hon. Abodun Iyiola, APC Chairman, Ikorodu Northh LCDA, Ikorodu, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, Chairman, Ikorodu LG, Hon. Wasiu Agoro, Chairman, Imota LCDA, Hon. Adebisi Banjo, Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Princess (Hon.) Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu LG, Hon. Apanisile, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Barr. Ade Ayeni, Secretary to the Igbogbo LCDA, Mr Toyin Gafaar (Bolowotan), Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Otunba Saheed Ibikunle, Member, Lagos State Universal Education Board (LSUBEB), Barr. Lekan Ijelu, former Assembly aspirant, Alhaja Funmi Basorun –Osinowo, APC Chieftain, Mr Segun Anifowoshe, former Sole Administrator, Ikorodu West LCDA, and Col. A.H. Gwani, Commanding Officer, 174 Battalion, Odogunyan.
