After his recent global recognition for his effort in eradicating hunger in the world through his I Care Foundation’s monthly free distribution of food items to his constituents, Honourable Babajimi Benson, the representative of Ikorodu Federal Consistency at the Federal House of Representative, on Saturday, April 13, 2019, resumed the laudable gesture amid praises and commendations.
The event, which was the 30th edition of the scheme, was held at the Lawmakers’ constituency office in Ikorodu and recorded impressive attendance of notable dignitaries and constituency in Ikorodu, who had all come to lend their support to their beloved Lawmaker.
Like previous editions, a total number of five hundred (500) beneficiaries, selected across Ikorodu federal constituency, were given bags of food popularly called ‘Apo Anu’ (Bag of Mercy), containing different food items such as rice, beans, milk, beverages and other staple foods.
Among these beneficiaries were elderly persons, vulnerable individuals, less privileged people, widows, among others.
The food distribution initiative took off in October, 2016, with about three hundred beneficiaries but was increased to five hundred (500) a year later to enable more people to benefit from the programe.
The elated beneficiaries were particularly impressed by Hon. Benson’s decision to hold the event few months after spending several millions of naira for his re-election in the last general elections. They swarmed round him on his arrival at the event to offer him prayers for his exemplary gesture.
They grouped themselves along religion line and took their turns to offer marathon prayers for their young benefactor as they pray to God to grant him good health, long life and wherewithal to continue with the laudable initiative.
They also commended and praised him and members of his I Care Foundation for remaining committed to putting food on their table despite the huge financial cost involved.
After the prayer session, the unassuming and humble performing Lawmaker went round to exchange greetings and handshakes with the beneficiaries while assuring them that the food program will be sustained. He also prayed that God will bless them so that they too can provide for others in need.
The climax of the event was the handling of the food packs by guests to the lucky beneficiaries, who were on a queue with their collection cards.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bayo Oteju, a senior legislature aide to Hon. Benson, in a chat with the media shortly after the distribution of the food packs, assured that the Lawmaker and his I Care team are now more committed to eradicating hunger in Ikorodu division due to the recent global recognition, which the free food distribution initiative has attracted.
“Our effort in contributing to the global efforts in eradicating hunger is not in doubt; you have seen that in the responses of beneficiaries and recently, the invitation of Hon. Benson to participate in the summit to eradicate hunger held in United States of America.”
“It was in recognition of his effort not to make people go to bed hungry that has been recognized as a major step to eradicate hunger in Africa.”
He stated that I Care is not resting on its effort and that the Lawmaker and his group are more determined than before to reach out to more people in the attempt to provide foods for those in needs.
It would be recalled that Hon. Benson was invited to the 14th Annual Presidents United to solve hunger (PUSH) and Universities Fighting World Hunger Summit (UFWH) at the University of Maine, United State of America last month as a panelist on a discourse titled, “UN Challenge 2030: working to Achieve a zero Hunger World.”
The Lawmaker joined other stakeholders across the world to discuss the issue of global hunger and finding ways out of the menace.
The invitation to the global summit came in recognition of Hon. Benson’s efforts, through his I Care Food Bank initiative, to eradicate hunger in his immediate environment as well as in acknowledgement of I Care’s success in deploying data to meet the food needs of people in Ikorodu constituency.