Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
Stakeholders and people of Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Monday, hosted the representative of Ikorodu federal constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson to a thank you luncheon in appreciation of his quality representation and impacts.
The event tagged, “Special Lunch Time with Hon. Babajimi Benson”, held at the Ijede LCDA secretariat and was organised by the Renaissance Group in conjunction with the council authorities. It had royal fathers, traditional chiefs, political leaders and other stakeholders in attendance.
To honour the three -term lawmaker representing Ikorodu federal constituency, for his developmental strides in Ijede and in particular, the facilitation of the N15billion construction of the Pacific/Igbe Laara Road, he was presented with four awards in recognition of his infrastructural, human capital development and quality representation, by Renaissance Group, and the Ijede LCDA. His wife, Mrs Jumoke Benson, was also honoured.
The representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), was also honoured for his impactful representation.
The Executive Chairman, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba welcoming the representative of Ikorodu federal constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson and his team, said that the gathering was to appreciate, wine and dine with him.
“We have brought Hon. Babajimi Benson here to honour him and tell him how much Ijede appreciates him and that we love him so much. It is also to tell him that we appreciate all the projects that he has been bringing to Ijede LCDA.
“This is part of our ways to show how much that we love and cherish him.”
Pastor Olawunmi Rasaq Ajetunmobi, APC Ikorodu Division Apex Secretary and Leader, Renaissance Incorporated said that the arrangement was set up to ensure Ijede change ways of doing things to more developmental ways.
The Renaissance leader added that the lawmaker represents renaissance of good things and positive development in Ijede and the entire Ikorodu Division.
While also stating that the initiative is first if its kind to honour the representative as an LCDA, he added that the facilitation and approval of the Pacific Road by President Bola Tinubu, necessitated the honour.
“Today is to appreciate you for your quality representation and the good job that you have been doing, in particular, the facilitation of the Pacific to Igbe Road. The project was one of the 27 approved across states and Ijede happened to be the beneficiary because we are fortunate to have Hon. Babajimi Benson as our representative.”
The Alajede of Ijede, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Hon.) Adefarasin Saheed Hassan, in his royal remarks re-emphasised that Rep. Benson is being honoured for the job well done.
“Hon. Babajimi Benson has done a lot for Ijede LCDA and he deserved to be honoured and since his emergence as the representative of Ikorodu federal constituency, he has been representing very well.
”With the Pacific Road which he has just facilitated, the Ijede community decided to honour him,” the royal father added.
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) AbdulHakeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, also making his royal remarks, said:
“JB has impacted more than roads but if it’s just the road we are focusing on, it has been massive. He is using his position to benefit the people.
”He deserves kudos for not just his representative work but also for his lawmaking duty.”
The Royal father who said that he holds the lawmaker in high esteem, charged residents of Ijede LCDA to appreciate his good representation by improving on their votes.
Obateru also commended Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo -Alogba and Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA) for complementing Rep JB.
In his own goodwill message, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, said that the Ikorodu federal lawmaker laid the foundation for impactful and actionable representation, adding that the gathering is to thank him for his good deeds.
“We are here to say thank you to MHR for all he has been doing. He works like a magician and that’s how he has been facilitating many projects including the Pacific and Abule Eko Road which has changed the social and economic phase of Abule- Eko.”
Chief Imam Ijede LCDA, Alhaji Sulaimon Akinjobi, in his goodwill message described Rep. Benson as remaining a beautiful bride because of his goodness and impact on the people.
He said that the lawmaker is the first representative to bring dividends of democracy of unimaginable effects to Ijede and its people, adding that he always reaches out to us religious, traditional and other leaders in their individual rights.
Mr Hakeem Anifowoshe, Chairman, APC Igbe Connect also appreciating the lawmaker emphasised that Rep. Benson is not all about road facilitation but also an articulate lawmaker when it comes to lawmaking. He cited the Electricity Act that he sponsored seeking to give power of generation to states and also described him as a symbol of hope, unity and a person who always builds other leaders.
While pleading with the federal lawmaker to get his group fully involved in the construction of the Pacific Road, Mr Anifowoshe also assured Rep. Benson that Ijede will attain the desired electoral votes expected come 2027 General Elections.
In his response at the occasion, Rep. Benson thanked the two royal fathers for their support and for honouring him. He also thanked the Ikorodu Constituency II representative and Chairman of Ijede, for delivering good governance and defending Ijede interests.
Reacting to the goodwill messages, the three -term lawmaker, Rep. Babajimi Benson, said that he was in a way surprised by the massive goodwill messages because he’s the one that is supposed to be thanking the people for entrusting him with this mandate and not the other way round.
He thanked traditional, political, religious and other stakeholders for their support, prayers and advice.
He pleaded with Ijede people to improve on their votes in the forthcoming elections while also assuring them that more developmental projects are still coming to Ijede.
He also assured the Renaissance Group, and APC Igbe Connect of his collaboration towards the next elections and in terms of developmental projects.
