By: Manoah Kikekon
The Badagry Local Government has distributed food items to about 1,000 residents across its 10 wards as part of an ongoing social intervention initiative aimed at easing economic hardship.
Held on Friday at the council secretariat, the distribution brought together a diverse group of beneficiaries, including students, artisans, elderly residents, and local women. The exercise forms part of the council's "Renewed Hope Food Palliative Programme," marking the sixth edition of the intervention series.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, emphasized that food distribution is only one component of his administration's broader development agenda. He pointed to ongoing infrastructure revamps, including the restructuring of abandoned school and hospital projects, as well as local road construction.
“As we have been restructuring abandoned school and hospital projects, we are also working on the construction of roads. We have started this food palliative programme, not just the one of today. We also give out ₦100,000 every month to 200 people. We have done the sixth edition, and we will be having the seventh edition soon,” Hunpe said.
The chairman linked these local efforts to national and state policies, attributing the administration's progress to the good governance championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the development roadmap of the Lagos State Government.
Addressing the criteria for the palliative distribution, Hunpe noted that the council specifically targeted residents struggling to meet their daily needs. While 1,000 packages were handed out directly to attendees from various wards with special arrangements made for elderly residents unable to travel he recalled that past interventions had also specifically targeted 500 widows and 500 elderly citizens.
Hunpe further disclosed that the local government is gearing up to commission several completed projects, urging residents to inspect renewed facilities such as LA Primary School, Ansarudeen Primary School, and Muslim Primary School, alongside an ongoing roundabout project.
In addition to infrastructural updates, the council is moving to decentralize essential identification services to ease movement for residents.
“Before, we had only one NIN office in Badagry, but now we are increasing it to three. We are establishing one at Ajara and the second at Ikoga,” the chairman announced.
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Dr. Doyin Johnson commended the local government administration's performance, presenting a congratulatory letter to Hunpe to mark his first 100 days in office.
Meanwhile, the Council Manager, Mrs. Avoseh Senami Oluwakemi, used the platform to encourage civic participation, advising beneficiaries to secure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to ensure their voices are heard at the polls.
Beneficiaries expressed profound gratitude for the relief materials while offering constructive feedback for future programs.
Hunton Selome Shade, one of the recipients, noted that the food items would go a long way for her household, while also appealing for increased administrative focus on educational support and financial palliatives for students.
Another beneficiary, Oke Peter Monday, shared similar sentiments, thanking the local government leadership for creating opportunities that directly impact grassroots communities.