Kunle Adelabu. Mariam Akinloye, Ayoola Oladipupo & Oyewumi Adebisi (Trainee)
-As hundreds of residents receive support items, grants in Ikorodu
The Ikorodu federal lawmaker, Rep. Babajiimi Adegoke Benson, on Tuesday, did not just present empowerment and support items to thousands of Ikorodu residents, but also delivered a charge on the need to see the gesture as foundation that they can build upon and not an end .
Rep. Benson, urged recipients at the Ikorodu Musical Village, venue of the event, to see the empowerment as a means to their self –reliance and sufficiency by ensuring that they put whatever that they have been given into good use.
He informed the large audience which included the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who is also the Gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his Deputy, Mrs Damilola Sonayon James; APC State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; Chairman, APC Campaign Council, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, GAC chieftain and former Minister; former Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, wife of the Ikorodu representative, Mrs Jumoke Benson; representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun and APC candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I, Prince Oluwatoyin Gafaar Bolowotan among others, that the Renewed Hope Mega Empowerment was made possible by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
800 residents were empowered with N300 million as business grants to boost and grow their businesses.
22 other items were distributed to hundreds of residents including Transformer (10 communities); Security Patrol Vans ( 5 Divisional Police Stations); Brand New Buses (7 religious and other groups); Cars (10); Brand New Mini Bus (20); Mini Bus (21); Bike (20) Electric Bike 10; Household Solar (1400); Freezer Small (50); Freezer Medium (150); Generator (20); Vulcanizing Machine (20); Welding Generator (20); Grinding Machine (20); Sewing machine (100); Industrial Sewing machine (20); Gas Cylinder 3kg (250); Gas Cylinder 6kg (450); Gas Cylinder – 12.5kg (100); HP Laptops (100) and Keke NAPEP (40).
“The empowerment items distributed today have been made possible through opportunities created by Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the support of those who believe in our mission.”
“And, to our beneficiaries, I have one simple message, use these opportunities wisely. Do not see empowerment as an end in itself; see it as a foundation to prosperity.
If you receive equipment, put it to productive use. If you receive support for your business, grow your business. If you receive opportunity to improve your livelihood, make the most of it!”
Rep Jimi Benson exhorted further,
“Our goal is not merely to distribute, our goal is to empower people to become economically independent and have support for their families,” Rep. Benson said.
Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the APC state chairman who said that Ikorodu has been producing best of the best enjoined its residents to collect their PVCs and ensure that they repay Rep. Benson and APC for their Renewed Hope Agenda.
Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Chairman APC Campaign Council in the state, described the empowerment as another demonstration of Benson’s political and constituency work: he urged residents of Ikorodu to reward Rep. Benson’s quality representation.
“If you want to make His Excellency, the incoming governor very proud of you and make it impossible for him to say no to Ikorodu, you must return more than 300,000 votes,” he said.
He also urged residents not to underestimate their capacity, saying greater political support could translate into more opportunities and appointments for the division.
Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, commended Benson for repeatedly intervening to ease the hardship faced by constituents.
Ogunleye said the empowerment was not the first intervention by Rep Benson and urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of what they received.
“Let us use it to recreate ourselves, let’s use it for the betterment of our job,” he advised.
Representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), who also commended the Ikorodu federal lawmaker whom he called his boss, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the items and grants given to them.
”As we celebrate today’s empowerment, I encourage the beneficiaries to utilise this opportunity responsibly and productively.”
”To our leaders and party faithful, your (Rep. Benson) accomplishment demonstrates that the APC is a result-oriented party where empowerment, education, healthcare, infrastructure and social welfare work together to improve lives, ” he added.
Some of the beneficiaries of the empowerment were full of commendations for the lawmaker.
Babajide Benson of Ikorodu Local Government Area, who received a deep freezer, said he planned to use it for his sales.
Olajide Asabiade, a resident of Igbogbo, who received a 500KVA transformer on behalf of his Community Development Association, commended the lawmaker and pledged the support of his community to Benson. He added that his CDA would embark on house-to-house campaigns in support of the lawmaker.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Oluwakemi Julius of Ikorodu West LCDA, said her community had experienced prolonged darkness before receiving the transformer.
“In our CDA, we have been in darkness for two good years. He told us we should hold on and today is a testimony,” Julius said.
She said the 500 KVA transformer would serve two communities.
Adeagbo Samson of Ikorodu North, who received a solar system, said the equipment would help power both his home and business.
Miss Bukky Kowe of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA also received a deep freezer, which she said would support her business sales.
Bola Balogun, another resident of Ikorodu North LCDA, who received a solar panel, fan and console, praised Benson for his interventions in the constituency, particularly road projects, and pledged his support for the 2027 election.
Saidat Saka of Ikorodu Central received a grinding machine, which she said would aid her trade and was also full of commendations for the lawmaker.
