Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
Constituents of Lagos East, on Monday, stormed the Senatorial Office of Senator Tokunbo Abiru, the Senator representing the Lagos East in the National Assembly, Abuja, to collect bags of food items provided by the lawmaker, to support them for the yuletide season.
According to the Senator, 10,000 each of 8kg bags of rice and 8kg bags of garri were distributed simultaneously across the five Local Government Areas that made up the district.
State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye and other chieftains of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), party leaders witnessed the distribution exercise in Ikorodu, where each beneficiary went home with a bag of rice and garri.
“We are in the season of love and of course, that’s what I am sharing these food items, and I am also extending hands of support to others which Christmas connotes.
“In that spirit of the season, it is also an opportunity to also reach out to our constituents.
“This is apart from the fact that it is our tradition to give food support to our constituents which we have been doing since the last 18 months. We do it on a quarterly basis.
“I think that the Christmas period is also very significant because of the its dictates and teachings. It is the time for us to show the hands of love and fellowship to one another.
“So, what we are doing here today is simultaneously going on across local governments within our district. We have five local governments and 11 LCDAs.
“As we are distributing it here, simultaneously, they are also doing the same in other respective local governments. This is to bring some dignity into the management of what we are doing so that it wouldn’t become rowdy”, he said.
Abiru, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, also said that the massive food distribution was aimed at providing succor to the economic hardship in the country, which is the immediate effects of President Bola Tinubu’s reforms which he said would eventually lead to the country’s greatness.
“Overall, we have provided 8kg of bags of rice and 8kg bags of garri, in a combo package for each household, totalling 10, 000 households across the district.
“We believe that’s the little that we can do to support ourselves, constituents and also, to support the initiatives of our President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We know that some of the bold and of course, necessary reforms he has embarked upon have caused some immediate challenges to the people and this is one of the ways that we can use to bring some succor to some of our constituents”, he said.
Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, in his remarks, commended the Senator for his representation.
“This is an opportunity to, once again, see the good things that Senator has been doing, and all that he has been doing will continue to speak for him.
“We have never regretted that we sent him to represent us”, he said.
A former Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, commending Senator Abiru for the hands of fellowship he has extended to people at this season, also described him as one of the few elected Senators that have been performing.
“We are all privy to the representation of our Senator who knows that he was elected to represent his people and deliver on his mandate.
“Even though, many believe that the country is not working very well, but our Senator is one of the few that are working very well in the National Assembly.
“I will charge you to continue to deliver on your mandate”, Asiwaju Basorun said.
Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, State APC Chairman, while commending the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, for showing love to his constituents at Christmas season, he also, on behalf of his party, APC, said that they are proud of the Senator’s representation.
“The Bible asks us to like our neighbours like ourselves, and I think that is the essence of the Christmas celebration and I want to sincerely thank our distinguished Senator Abiru, for doing good.
“Our leaders have spoken about him and they have spoken very well. I just want to commend his efforts and to affirm what the leaders have said.
“We are delighted and proud that we have a good product that we introduced to the people of East Senatorial District. You have been promoting the philosophy and image of the party. You are growing the party and God Almighty will continue to be with you.
“He is doing all these because he has a heart of giving because we only send him to make laws, an area which he has also been representing verry well. On many occasions, you see him on the floor of the house defending the policies of the government and the people he is representing in Lagos State.
“He has also been pursuing infrastructural developments of his district”, the APC State Chairman said.
Sen. Anthony Adefuye, one of the Senator Abiru’s predecessors, said that his representation has earned him another term.
“Among those that were elected, you are one of the distinguished Senators who have performed very well.
“Your delivery has earned you another term and if you again deliver on your mandate, you are in good position to be Nigerian President”, he said.
Speaking earlier, Dr Ibikunle Saheed, Special Adviser to the Senator on Constituency Matters, said that the ceremony was an avenue to thank constituents for their support , interact with their Senator and reassured them of a better Nigeria.
“The beneficiaries are not just members of the APC alone, but also those that are none members. We are using that to win their souls and show them what we are capable of doing as a government in power.
“This is also an opportunity to gathered our party members, others and leaders to interact with the Senator, and also thank them for their support for our party, our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
“It is an avenue to reassure you that the Renewed Hope is here and real. These are what this presentation symbolizes
“It also symbolizes love for each other in the spirit of the season”, Dr. Ibikunle said.
Many of the beneficiaries that spoke with THE IMPACT thanked the Senator for extending hands of support to them at Christmas as always.
