The popular saying that the true worth of a man is in his ability to live up to his words, could best describe the action of Senator Tokunbo Abiru, FCA, the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, on Thursday, April 1, 2021, as he formally launched one of his electoral promises – COVID-19 Relief Financial Assistance for indigent people in his district.
The well attended event was held at the Senator’s Constituency Office, 68, TOS Benson Road, Opposite Abattoir, Ikorodu, and had the presence of Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress and Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), members in Federal House of Representatives and State House of Assembly, Council chairmen, religious leaders and beneficiaries who cut across the length and breadth of the Senatorial District.
The support scheme actually started in January with the about 2000 beneficiaries, which included widows, unemployed youths, women, physically challenged persons among others, divided into two categories and were being giving N5000 in an alternate arrangement.
It was gathered that 10 beneficiaries were picked from each of the 98 wards in the Lagos East Senatorial District through party leaders, party chairmen and religious leaders and others.
The event also witnessed testimonies by some of the beneficiaries who attested to the timely receipt of the monthly stipend and its impact in their lives.
Meanwhile Senator Abiru, in his address, confirmed that beneficiaries were sourced from the GAC Leaders, Party chairmen and esteemed spiritual fathers and leaders, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leadership and League of Imams.
Aside the financial support scheme, Sen. Abiru also announced other support plans for traders, students and others.
“I have the honour of informing you that more than 2,000 of vulnerable people in 98 wards across 16 local government areas in the Senatorial district have benefited from the N5,000 (Five Thousand Naira) support scheme since January,” Abiru said.
“The beneficiaries, who are scheduled into two categories, are getting the assistance bi-monthly (i.e once in two months), and it will run through the year 2021 by way of direct credit to their bank accounts.
“Having successfully piloted two (2) streams of payments to beneficiaries under the scheme, we deemed it fit to formally launch the scheme as the third stream of payment for the month of March will be paid today (Thursday, April 1,2021).
“Let me also reiterate that this intervention is one in the series of lined up interventions that are targeted at the critical demography in our Senatorial district.
“Others that will follow in this new quarter are: The Traders Assistance Scheme for market, Scholarship and bursary award for qualified students in Higher Institutions of learning”, he said.
He also said that he has facilitated FG’s financial support for 370 transporters and artisans.
“In addition, let me also inform you that through doggedness and proactiveness, we were able to facilitate a N30,000 Federal Government Survival Fund for 370 transporters and artisans in our district.
“The first tranche was paid about two weeks ago and they have two more tranches to receive. Other interventions we are vigorously pursuing include; Guaranteed Take – Off grant, CAC Business Formalization for MSME.
“In the same vein, under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, we facilitated disbursements of N20,000 for rural women across our Senatorial district in February. The disbursement exercise was held at Police College Ground, Ikeja, Lagos”, he said.
Sen. Abiru, who came on board about four months ago after the demise of his predecessor, Senator Adebayo Osinowo, assured leaders and people of Lagos East that he is working assiduously to influence agricultural facilities for farmers all – over the Senatorial District.
He also said that he’s making efforts to provide health, educational and vocational facilities as well.
“I have made necessary contact to make up for what was almost lost out like the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s agricultural-focused intervention like Anchor Borrower Scheme and Agricultural Credit Support Schemes (ACSS) domiciled with the apex bank.
“Agriculture being the mainstay occupation of a large majority of our people in the hinterlands of Ikorodu, Epe, Ikosi Ejinrin and Origanrigan, Oshoroko, Okunraye, Tiye and other coastal communities in Ibeju Lekki axis, we shall continue to ensure that our people get necessary support for economic prosperity.
“I have also engaged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the presidency to partner with us to build Primary Health Care facilities, Rehabilitation of Primary Schools and establishment of vocational training centers in the Lagos East District. I shall be giving updates on these proposed projects as they progress”, he said.
After Abiru’s address, party chieftains and GAC members took turn to commend the Senator for giving so much importance to the fulfillment of his campaign promises to the people and urged him to continue in that stride so that he can further impact on the lives of the people.
They also urged the beneficiaries to appreciate the gesture of Senator Abiru by having a humble beginning with the stipend as a way of setting themselves on the path of economic survival.
Among those that spoke were Alhaji Shakiru Seriki Bamu, GAC Chieftain, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Deputy Governor, Asiwaju Reuben Olorunfunmi Basorun, GAC chieftain and former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Bode Oyedele, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Omoba Olumuyiwa Sosanya and Comrade Kolade Alabi , National Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
In the same vein, Sheikh Seifudeen Olowo-Oribi, the grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, His Eminence, Sheikh Yahya Olorunoshebi Oshoala, Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque and Evang. (Dr) Emmanuel Adegoke, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ikorodu chapter, in their respective remarks, also described the Senator as a humble and true representative of his people and also commended him for also given consideration for the religious bodies in his programmes.
Earlier, Dr. Saheed Ibikunle, Board Member, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) and a chieftain of Tokunbo Abiru Constituency Team (TACT), speaking earlier, assured Constituents of more impactful and people- oriented programmes from Senator Abiru representing Lagos East.
Also, some of the beneficiaries, in separate brief interviews with Oriwu Sun, joyfully confirmed the receipt of their credit alert for the stipend at the event.
They thanked Senator Abiru for the practical fulfilment of his campaign promises to them and prayed that God would lift him higher than his present position.
Among other notable APC members at the event were Hon. Babajimi Benson, Member, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, Member, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Olusegun Olulade, Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku, LCDA, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, former acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State, and Hon. Rotimi Abiru, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly.