By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, LAGOS — Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, The Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, has officially flagged off the pilot phase of the Renewed Hope Ounje Arugbo programme. The initiative brought joy to 500 senior citizens drawn from various wards across the local government area, who received vital food palliatives.
Launched on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Badagry Local Government Secretariat, the social intervention scheme forms a core component of the administration’s Greater Badagry Rising Agenda. Designed to directly target elderly residents, the programme reinforces grassroots support and honors senior citizens for their lifelong contributions to society.
Addressing the gathering, Hunpe emphasized that compassionate leadership must actively look out for society’s most vulnerable populations. He noted that the initiative also aligns with the celebration of his administration’s one year in office.
"We have promised our people, both young and old this programme is not the first one we are doing, but we have to add it to our celebration of one year in office. This is not the end of it; we only started with the elderly who can walk. After this, we are still going to the residences of those who cannot come here to deliver the palliatives to them at home. After this, the widows are the next, and after that, we are going to do the general one for everybody," Hunpe, said.
The Chairman further highlighted ongoing monthly empowerment efforts by his administration, "We do programmes every month. We promised that we are going to empower 4,000 people within 20 months that happens every month. For those that need it, we empower 200 people with ₦100,000 every month. We want the elderly to live comfortably; that is why we created an office for them."
Reiterating the administration's inclusive approach, Hon. Hunpe assured residents that subsequent phases will be expansive, capturing diverse communities including Arewa, Igbo, and South-South residents living within Badagry. Additional social packages targeting widows and vulnerable groups are also in the pipeline.
Corroborating the Chairman’s vision, the Council Manager, Avoseh Akwe Senami Oluwakemi, praised the leadership’s dedication to neglected demographics.
"This administration believes that the elderly do not have a voice, and in most programmes people do, they are being neglected and forgotten. The Executive Chairman has the elderly at heart. In fact, we just finished a one-week medical outreach where he said the elderly should be given priority.
"Through the supervisor for elderly, we will register them so we can celebrate them, mark their birthdays, take them out, and we are planning a big programme for them towards December. We are also planning to register them for health insurance so they would be able to access free healthcare."
Alhaja Risikat Padonu Hassan, The Supervisor for Senior Citizens and Social Services, commended the Chairman for pioneering such a thoughtful welfare scheme. Detailing the contents of the relief packages, she remarked:
"I commend the chairman for this, as it is the first of its kind. In this bag, we have rice, garri, semovita, beans, and vegetable oil. We can't reach out to everyone at the same time; after this batch, another one is coming so we can reach out to more people."
Samuel Mautin Oni a beneficiary, "We the retirees are very grateful for this coming from the Chairman. This will assist us, as poverty is a serious challenge currently in the country."
The Renewed Hope Ounje Arugbo stands as a shining testament to proactive local governance, setting a high standard for elderly care, social security, and grassroots community development in Lagos State.