Kunle Adelabu, Mariam Akinloye & Oyewumi (trainee)
-Ikorodu federal lawmaker unveils mega empowerment plans
More constituents of Ikorodu federal constituency, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, benefitted from the food intervention program of its representative in the House of Representatives, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, as its initiative – iCare Food Bank, celebrated 10 years of feeding lkorodu residents, on that Saturday.
Launched on October 16, 2016, the iCare Food Bank has sustained the monthly intervention, distributing essential grocery items packaged as “Apo Àánú” (Bags of Mercy) to vulnerable families, the elderly, widows and physically challenged persons. Ten years later, the mission remains the same: to put food on tables, restore dignity and remind those in need that their community cares.
The initiative, which has been sustained in the last ten years as no month pasded by without the distribution of food packages, and sometime, done twice in a month, especially whenever there is festivities, has benefitted thousands of households across lkorodu division.
1000 households, on Saturday, benefited in this month’s edition, when the humanitarian gesture marked 10th anniversary, and also commemorated World Food Day, with Rep. Benson emphasizing that the food initiative’s goal is to see beneficiaries move from receiving assistance to becoming food givers in their respective communities.
The anniversary food distribution held at Rep. Benson Constituency Office, provided an opportunity to reflect on the journey of the ‘Apo Anu’ program and its continued role in providing food support to vulnerable households across Ikorodu.
Speaking at the event, Rep. Benson said one of the most encouraging aspects of the programme was seeing that some of those who benefited from it in its early years were no longer dependent on the intervention.
“Those we used to give this package to 10 years ago, I can’t find them here again”, he said, explaining that the hope has always been for beneficiaries to eventually become self-reliant and able to support others.
“Our prayer here always is that those that receive the package with time will later begin to be givers themselves”, Benson added.
According to him, the programme has also become more than a periodic food distribution exercise, as it provides an opportunity to interact directly with residents and gain a better understanding of the challenges affecting households in the constituency.
He said the feedback, prayers and advice received from residents during the distributions have remained valuable in understanding their needs and shaping further interventions.
Benson acknowledged the economic difficulties facing many families, stressing that the continued hardship made support programmes such as ‘Apo Anu’ necessary, while efforts are being made to improve people’s livelihoods.
He also thanked residents for their continued support and participation in the programme, saying the relationship has remained reciprocal.
“It is not you that should be thanking us, we are the ones that should always thank you and we would not let you down”, he said, promising that more interventions would be brought to residents across Ikorodu.
The anniversary also looked beyond immediate food relief, as Benson announced another empowerment programme scheduled for Tuesday, which he said would target thousands of vulnerable residents.
He said the foundation would make efforts to reach as many people as possible, adding that those who could not benefit on the day would be considered subsequently.
“We will do our best to reach everyone and those that cannot get on that day will be compensated later”, he said.
The event attracted political and community leaders, including Chairman of Imota LCDA, Hon. Sunday Benson; Chairman, Ikorodu LG, Hon. Adedayo Ladega; Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo –Ladega; Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Ameen Apanisile, Member, Lagos State LG Service Commission, Princess Folashade Olabanji –Oba, APC candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I, Prince. Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan; Otunba Bayo Lawson, Chairman, APC Ikorodu West LGA, political leaders, party members and other community stakeholders.
Hon. Sunday Benson, in his remarks, spoke about the ongoing Permanent Voters’ Card collection process, urging eligible residents to ensure that they collect theirs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hon. Ladega, meanwhile, commended the consistency of the Apo Anu initiative, noting the visible efforts of Benson in engaging with residents and responding to community needs.
APC Ikorodu Constituency candidate, Bolowotan also praised the continuity of the programme, stating that sustained interventions of this nature demonstrated the importance of having representatives who remained connected to the people they served.
Ikorodu North LCDA Chairman, Ameen Apanisile, pleaded with residents to consider the quality representation of Rep. Benson, the working Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the need to continue to benefit from good governance, and troop out in large numbers to vote APC candidates on the 2027 General Elections.
Like others, Apanisile also commended the federal lawmaker for the consistency in the food program and his representation generally.
As ‘Apo Anu’ enters its next phase, the Director –General, iCare Foundation, Mayor Muhyden Sanwoola, assured Ikorodu federal constituents that the food distribution and other interventions would continue, while maintaining the longe-term objective of helping vulnerable residents build greater capacity and independence.
For the beneficiaries, however, the immediate significance of the anniversary remained the food support, coming at a time when the rising cost of basic necessities continues to put pressure on households.
Beneficiaries commended the lawmaker for his continuous gesture and prayed for his renewed capacity to continue to do more.
However, beyond the food packages distributed on Saturday, the 10th anniversary offered a broader reflection on what the organisers hope the programme will eventually achieve: not a permanent cycle of dependence, but a transition in which those who once needed assistance can become capable of extending help to others.
