By Esther Onyegbula

Over 2,000 residents in Ifako Ijaiye benefited from a food subsidy market sponsored by Inspire Lagos Food Market in partnership with Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, held over the weekend.

The food market featured traders selling food items at a 50% discount compared to prices in the local market. At the market, a paint bucket of rice and beans was sold for N3,800 and N6,500, respectively. Meanwhile, a crate of eggs and a kilo of chicken were sold for N3,000 and N2,500, respectively. Other available food items included vegetable oil, red oil, garri, fresh pepper, onions, and tomatoes.

Speaking at the event, the convener of Inspire Lagos Food Market, Abiola Adebajo, said, “The concept behind this is to provide relief to residents in the community. There is serious economic hardship, high food inflation, and people are hungry—they can barely feed themselves. Something has to be done.”

“Sincerely, the government is doing its best, but we are here to assist. We are here to help the people by collaborating with the government.”

“Imagine if we had brands supporting us—we would definitely do something bigger and better than this.”

“We are able to provide a 50% discount on all food items thanks to support from sponsors, donors, and philanthropists.”

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat, said the food subsidy market aims to complement the state’s efforts to make life easier for residents. “The local government is the closest to the grassroots. We need to always stay connected to our people,” he said.

“The state and local governments are sensitive to the plight of their citizens and want to alleviate poverty in the community by providing food items at discounted prices.”

“Apart from the food subsidy market, the local government is also empowering traders with financial grants. We visit different markets within the local government area, assess the traders’ stocks—those valued below N20,000—and support them with N50,000. We go to various markets regularly.”

Residents of the community were pleased to purchase goods at half the usual market prices.

One of the residents, Jumoke Adura, said, “I am very happy and thankful to the organizers of this market. I bought a paint bucket of beans for N6,500, rice for N3,800, a large tuber of yam for N1,500, a kilo of chicken for N2,500, and 3kg of groundnut oil for N4,000. I am excited, and I wish other local governments would do this to help their citizens.”