Over 10,000 Persons Benefit from Abiru’s 60th Birthday Anniversary Food Packs

Sunday Ehigiator

More than 10,000 residents of Lagos East Senatorial District have benefitted from food packages shared by the senator representing the area, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, in commemoration of his 60th birthday, marked yesterday at his constituency office, located in Ikorodu.

Abiru distributed the food packages consisting of rice, beans, and garri, to over 10,000 vulnerable members of his constituency, to cushion the current economic situation in the country.

Speaking to THISDAY at the event, media aide to Abiru, Mr. Enitan Olukotun said it was a quarterly food pack programme which the senator often uses to reach out to the vulnerable in his constituency.

“Coincidentally, the Senator turned 60 years old today. Hence, he decided to extend the same gesture to our people across the 98 wards, in the 16 LGAs and LCDAs we have under Lagos East Senatorial District.

“We have made provision for over 10,500 people with each of them going home with at least one of this bumper food package. The package will be distributed across the Lagos East Senatorial district.

“As I am talking with you now, those in Shomolu, Ikosi-Isheri, Kosofe, Agboyi-Ketu, Epe, Ikosi-Ejirin, and Eredo are getting theirs as well, just as those in different parts of Ikorodu, Ibeju Lekki and Lekki LCDA. The reach-out is for all of them.

“Furthermore, considering the harsh economic climate, and what the people are currently going through, the senator decided not to have any form of fanfare or party at all, but instead sacrifice the money for such party for the people to feed, so that the people can have a merry festive season which is just around the corner.

“And the selection process for this was very open. You see that most people that are here are not party members nor are they only from a particular tribe. We only made the link available for the constituents to refer to anyone around them whom they consider as vulnerable and who is in dire need of this package,” he said.

He said that from their recommendations, some background checks were done before invites were sent to those who truly needed to benefit from it.

“So people nominated their neighbours, church members, and those randomly in their neighbourhoods whom they thought needed it. We only have to confirm they truly are resident in the constituency, and they will be deemed eligible,” he stressed.

Earlier while delivering his goodwill message through a signed statement, Abiru appreciated God for his kindness towards him and his household as well as his wife, Feyisola, whom he described as his pillar of support and his children for their unwavering support.

In the same vein, the lawmaker showed gratitude to the people of Lagos East Senatorial District, for availing him the opportunity to serve them, as well as the leaders of the party, particularly, President Bola Tinubu.

“I am using the special occasion of my 60th birthday to identify with you, my esteemed constituents in this current economic hardship largely due to wrong policy choices of past administrations, which the current government is trying to correct.

“It will be a smack of crass insensitivity for me to throw a social party, entertaining guests when most of our people are struggling to meet their basic needs, particularly food. Therefore, I shelved all social plans and decided to celebrate by providing food packs to over 10,000 Lagos East Senatorial District households.

“Like I have been doing every quarter, the categories of vulnerable people are widows, persons living with physical disabilities, unemployed youth, women and the aged. For more inclusiveness and wider reach, vulnerable persons who were shortlisted from online nominations will also benefit.

“I am optimistic that this pain will not last forever. Frantic efforts of the federal government in ensuring food security, commodity prices stability and various interventions by our own state governor will ease the pains in no distant time,” he noted.