Kunle Adelabu
The tradition of providing food support for the people of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency by iCare foundation, the working team of the Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, members, Federal House of Representatives, continued on Saturday, February 27, 2021, as the bags of food items were distributed to the first set of 500 people in the New Year.
Beneficiaries were provided with the relief bags which contained rice, beans, palm oil, beverages among other food items at the Constituency office of the young lawmaker who is the Chairman, House Committee on Defense, located along Ipakodo – Igbogbo road, Ikorodu.
Joining Hon. Babajimi Benson and iCare Foundation’s Director – General, Mayor Deen Sanwoola, at the distribution ceremony to present food packs to the beneficiaries, were Council Chairmen of the five Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ikorodu Division – Hon. Wasiu Agoro (Imota), Hon. Sesan Daini (Igbogbo/Bayeku), Hon. Jumoke Jimbo – Ademehin (Ikorodu West), Hon. Adeola Banjo (Ikorodu North) and Hon. Salisu Fathiu (Ijede).
There were also Hon. Ameen Apanisile, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Vice Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Alhaji Taiwo Longe, Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Sefiudeen Ogunyemi, Igbogbo/Bayeku APC Chairman and Mr Iyiola, Ikorodu North APC Chairman.
Hon. Sesan Daini, speaking at the event, said that he always attends iCare programmes to learn about how things are done and also to see the impacts of their programmes.
He stated that the ‘Apo – Anu’ (foodbank) programme was designed to enable Hon. Benson appreciate constituents support and not mainly because people are hungry.
“This program, which has been on for years and had impacted on many people, was not initiated just because people are hungry and needed to be provided for but mostly to appreciate constituents for their support.
“Avenue like this also presented our representative the opportunity to inform constituents about his other programmes and receive feedback on what he has been doing.
While stating that beneficiaries of the monthly food support programme are not picked on party basis, Hon. Daini also enjoined the teeming crowd of people in attendance to get registered in the ongoing APC registration exercise.
“We are aware that there are many others here that are not members of our party because the programme is for the entire constituents of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, but we are enjoining you to embrace the ongoing registration exercise of our party, APC, and be part of us.
“This is the only way to be part of us and contribute in your own way to the running of the affairs of the party”, he said.
Daini also charged residents of the six councils in Ikorodu Division to cooperate with Census officials currently embarking on area enumeration across the division in preparation for Census.
He said that cooperating with the Census officials is the only way to get an accurate number of houses, developing areas and people now in Ikorodu division which he said that should multiply the 2006 figure by 10.
”It is only when there are accurate figures and other statistics that the government will know our number, which should by now multiply by ten the figure recorded for Ikorodu in 2006, and be able to determine our social amenities need and other projects that we are in need of.
“This is also the only way to let them know that we are in need of more polling units in many developing areas in Ikorodu”, he added.
Also at the ceremony were Mr Adeleke Kara, Member, Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, Dr Wole Ajifowoke, Member, Governing Council, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, and Dr Fatai Abiodun – Abatan, Member, Board of the Lagos State Sports Commission and other political office holders.
