By Esther Onyegbula

In a major humanitarian intervention aimed at cushioning the impact of economic hardship, Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, has commenced the distribution of 13,000 food packs and cash support to households across its seven wards under the Ounje Olugbani initiative.

Flagging off the exercise, the Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Mr. Jimoh Olawale Saliu, said the programme was deliberately structured to address hunger at the grassroots while ensuring transparency, equity and orderliness in the distribution process.

Saliu disclosed that the council established 14 distribution centres, two in each of the seven wards, to prevent overcrowding and stampede, adding that beneficiaries were pre-issued tickets which would be exchanged for food items at designated points.

“We have seven wards and we made it two distribution centres per ward. We are starting from the Anago office. What we are giving out today is about 13,000 food packages, and this is just the beginning,” he said.

According to the council boss, the ticketing system was adopted to guarantee accountability and proper monitoring of the exercise.

“I have already dropped copies of the tickets with those in charge and with stakeholders. We don’t want stampede or overcrowding. We want the entire process to be orderly and well coordinated,” he added.

Each food pack, he explained, contains essential food items including rice, beans, garri, semolina, groundnut oil, seasoning cubes and salt, as well as an envelope containing N5,000 cash support to further ease the burden on beneficiaries.

Describing Ounje Olugbani as more than a festive palliative, Saliu said the initiative was inspired by the need to ensure that families have food on their tables, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s call on leaders to prioritise the welfare of the people.

“Our President has consistently encouraged leaders to look for ways to give back to the people. Let every Nigerian have food on their table. That is why we are following this path. During this season, this intervention will assist families across the LCDA,” he said.

He stressed that unlike previous distributions that focused mainly on party leaders and community stakeholders, the current exercise was designed to reach every household in Apapa-Iganmu LCDA.

“This one is for every house in the local government. I am giving out 13,000 food packs, and it will go round,” he stated.
The council chairman assured residents that the programme would be sustained and expanded, disclosing that food distribution under the initiative would take place during every major festive period, including Ramadan, Easter and Salah.

“The next edition will be during Ramadan through Easter, and another during Salah. Every festive period. And there is a clear plan to increase the number of beneficiaries as the demand grows,” he said.

On funding, Saliu said the initiative was part of his campaign commitment and that funds had been deliberately saved since he assumed office.

“I intended to do this even during my campaign. I have been saving for this since my first day in office. Just as we save for roads and other programmes, we are also saving to make sure we feed our people. An angry man is an angry man,” he said.

He recalled that the council’s first 100 days in office were largely devoted to infrastructure development, including the commissioning of buses and the opening of two roads, but noted that the current phase marked a strategic shift towards human welfare.

“We concentrated so much on infrastructure during the first 100 days. This time around, we want to concentrate on the human being—what I call stomach infrastructure—alongside health infrastructure,” he explained.

On monitoring and accountability, the chairman said community structures played a key role in identifying beneficiaries to ensure the palliatives reached the intended households.

“We worked with ward chairmen, councillors, community development associations, youth groups and landlords. They know the people in their communities. We even did house counting. I am confident that no household in this community has not been captured,” he said.

He added that while 13,000 households would receive the full food package, supplementary distributions in smaller quantities would be made to reach additional residents.

Saliu also disclosed that the food intervention complements ongoing empowerment programmes in the LCDA. According to him, over 1,000 residents who recently completed skills acquisition training would be provided with working equipment in January.

“We trained over 1,000 people during the first 100 days and they have graduated. This January, we are giving them equipment. We are also empowering skilled tailors, shoemakers, makeup artists and hairdressers who already have capacity,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Victor Joshua, a native of Cross River State, expressed gratitude to the council chairman for fulfilling his promise to residents.

“The food bag is heavy and I am very grateful. This will go a long way in putting smiles on our faces. The chairman promised to assist residents and he has truly fulfilled his promises. I pray God Almighty to bless and preserve him,” Joshua said.