Ikorodu division may soon have two or more additional federal constituency seats created from the current federal constituency, that is, if the request by Hon Babajimi Benson, Member representing Ikorodu federal constituency at the House of Reps is considered and approved by APC leadership in the state.
Hon Benson made the request at the Special Constituent Empowerment programme he organized for residents of the Ikorodu federal constituency at his Constituency Office along Ebute-Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu on Monday, July 16th, 2018.
Making a case for the additional federal seats for Ikorodu division, Hon Benson facing Alh Ajose, Deputy Chairman, APC Lagos State who was the Chairman of the occasion said, ‘Party Chairman, we need your help in Ikorodu. Ikorodu is one of the biggest federal constituencies in Nigeria, comprising of 30 wards, one local government and five LCDAs, with one representative. It is a very herculean task, but God is helping us’ he said.
He added that, ‘some reps have 8 and nine wards while I have 30 wards to cover’.
He cited the instance of Lagos Island, with 10 wards and two federal representatives. The federal lawmaker also added that one of his colleagues from Surulere who was in Owutu recently sent him an SMS, asking for how he is managing to effectively cover Ikorodu division, stating that Isawo alone was way bigger than his own entire federal constituency.
Over 800 residents of the division benefitted from the caring heart empowerment initiative of the federal lawmaker, who gave out hundreds of trade tools, machineries and other items that can uplift the general livelihood of his numerous residents.
Some of the items given out to beneficiaries include, 15 Tricycles, six (6) motorcycles, 252 generating sets and10 deep freezers. Others are Hair dryers, grinding machines 20, sewing machines 60, 300 cooking gas set and 50-gas cooker with utensils, and 16 vulcanizer’s machines.
Responding to prayers and accolades from constituents and, particularly the beneficiaries, Hon Benson added that, rather than thanking him, he is the one that should commend the unalloyed support and cooperation he is getting from party faithfuls and leaders. He traced their support to his emergence as the party’s candidate, at the party primary, where he scored over 700 votes out of the total 950 votes, despite contesting with about eight (8) other aspirants.
He also cited the overwhelming votes he recorded at the general elections, making him the House of Reps candidate with the highest votes margin of 30,000 in the state.
As a way of reciprocating the gestures, Hon Benson stated that the empowerment was the first in the series of what was to come as there would still be phases 2, 3 and four of the empowerment initiative he has just started.
Party leaders, monarchs and residents commended Hon Benson’s caring heart initiatives, describing it as unprecedented in the history of House of Reps empowerment initiative in Ikorodu division. The leaders were therefore unanimous in their endorsement of Hon Jimi Benson, assuring him of their continued support, as many times as he wishes to re-contest for the Ikorodu House of Representatives seat.
Presenting the motorcycles to beneficiaries, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi prayed for the prosperity of beneficiaries and safety on the road. Oba Ajibade Agoro, Ranodu of Imota, Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and Oba Richards Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe also prayed for other beneficiaries.
Advising beneficiaries, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, IKODASS Chairman and an Aspiring Senator, Lagos East Senatorial District on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress while commending the laudable initiative of Hon Jimi Benson advised beneficiaries not to sell off the items but should trade with them.
A beneficiary of the generating, praised Hon Jimi Benson for his concerns for the downtrodden. He added that, he will not sell the generating set but will personally make use of it, promising his continued prayers for Hon Benson every time he makes use of the generator.
