Kunle Adelabu
-6000 benefited as he pledges quarterly distribution
Few weeks after his inauguration as Senator in the 10th Senate of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Mikhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, has returned with a food programme initiative.
Six thousand food packs containing garri, wheat, macaroni, vegetable oil, indomie, butter, salt, spaghetti, semovita and other food items prepared and packaged by a food producing company in the country, were distributed across lkorodu, Kosofe, Epe/Ibeju Lekki, Kosofe/Agboyi Ketu/Ikosi Isheri and Shomolu/Bariga, on Sunday.
It would be recalled that the Senator, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, distributed thousands of food packs in Ikorodu Division and other parts of Lagos, to support residents during the challenging period.
At the Ikorodu Constituency office of the Senator, were hundreds of people from the six councils in lkorodu division (Ikorodu Central Local Government, Ikorodu West, Ikorodu North, Igbogbo/Bayeku, Ijede and Imota Local Council Development Areas (LCDAS), who had come to collect the Sallah packages which the performing Senator said would be done every quarter.
Among beneficiaries are widows, elderly people, unemployed youths, special people, women and vulnerable people.
Dr (Otunba) Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, the Special Adviser to Senator Abiru on Constituency Matters, welcoming beneficiaries to the distribution event in Ikorodu, said that the initiative is one of Senator Abiru’s ways of impacting the constituents with his representation and extending love to them.
“This is part of the Senator’s way of showing care and love to his constituents, and we want to thank him for this gesture which was initiated for the benefit of the people”, he said.
“This food distribution program is not a new thing to Sen. Abiru. You will all recall that as soon as he emerged as the Senator, he introduced palliative measures to cushion the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on our people and it has been a successful programme.
“Why that has been successful, the Senator also reviewed to see that not everyone is benefitting from that, which necessitated the food distribution initiative designed to reach more constituents”, Dr Ibikunle added.
“The food distribution is meant for everybody and not only members of the APC, and we have reached out to widows, elderly people, unemployed youths, special people and vulnerable people. We sought them through our party’s LGA and wards. We also consulted traditional, religious and community leaders to source for them.
“This is how we spread the benefit across every part of Ikorodu”, he explained.
Meanwhile, Sen. Abiru, in his address, used the occasion to thank members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the generality of Ikorodu people for the support given him and other candidates of the party in the last general elections.
He also disclosed that the food distribution program will be done every three months.
“I am using this opportunity to thank you all for the last elections where you voted for our President, Governor, House of Representative, House of Assembly members and myself. This is the first time that we will be gathering together since the general elections. This is an opportunity to thank you all. On behalf of our President and other elected officials, I want to sincerely thank you”, the banker turned Senator said thankfully.
“Why we gathered here today is to get back to our people and distribute food packages. This is a new initiative which will be coming up every three months. The distribution, which is going on today is equally being held in Kosofe, Epe/Ibeju Lekki, Kosofe/Agboyi Ketu/Ikosi Isheri and Shomolu/Bariga.
“We appeal to you to accept it with love. The packs consist of garri, wheat, macaroni, vegetable oil, indomie, butter, salt, spaghetti, semovita and other items prepared and packaged by the Flour Mills of Nigeria.
“As I said, this is the beginning and it will not be the end as we are going to be doing it from time to time”, Sen. Abiru assured.
The two – term Senator also informed hundreds of constituents gathered to receive the food packs, that the reconstruction of the Ikorodu – Itoikin road, which he facilitated, has begun.
He added that the Senator Abiru Innovation Lab (SAIL) located at Ebute in Ikorodu, was conceived to prepare younger ones, develop their capacity for the global competitive market and be self – employed.
“Although, this is important for our people but, beyond these food packs and other interventions, there is need for good governance, and I want to let you know that work has started on the Ikorodu – Itoikin road. I can assure that the work will progress very well before this year runs out”, he said.
“It is equally important that we provide support for our children so that they too can be great and at same time, address the issue of unemployment. That was why we invited the Vice President, Sen. Kassim Shettima and the Governor (Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu) to commission the first technology hub in Lagos State which is situated in Ikorodu.
“The hub is a standard one that will impact positively on our youths. It is free and there is a limit to the number of students that we can admit at a time. It’s highly competitive with stringent admission process.
“This is how to promote good governance and create opportunities for our young ones”, Abiru said.
Chieftain of the APC in Ikorodu West LCDA, Prince Jamiu Adio Saka, in his remarks, described the Senator as a capable representative who is always willing to impact on the people.
“The initiative is very timely, rewarding and expected. May God continue to reward the Senator and grants him his heart desires”, he said.
“Honestly, I am really proud of him and I have never had any doubt about his ability. When you look at his antecedents, they are never by accident and yet, he is worthy to do more for his people.
“On behalf of the entire leadership of Ikorodu Division, and the Senatorial District that you are representing, we thank you very much and we will continue to appreciate you. This is just the beginning of many good things to come”, the party leader added.
Many of the beneficiaries that spoke with THE IMPACT thanked the Senator for initiating the food program, stating that they will have something to take care of their families during the Sallah period.
