In a bid to alleviate hunger and bring relief to residents, the Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Prince Lanre Sanusi, distributed 2,000 food bags to households across the council under his “Apo Ariyo Initiative.”
The event which held at the Amuwo-Odofin Council Secretariat, drew various community groups, associations, and residents, reflecting a strong sense of unity and hope across the local government area.
According to the chairman, each food bag contains rice, beans, and garri, distributed to carefully selected households across the local government. He added that while the October edition catered to 1,500 households, another 500 packs have been reserved for further distribution.
Sanusi also disclosed plans to make the Apo Ariyo Initiative a monthly exercise, assuring residents that subsequent editions in November and December would be “bigger and more expansive.”
“This is a special moment for us because we now have the privilege to serve as chairman of the council. We will sustain this support monthly to ensure our people do not go hungry,” he added.
The “Apo Ariyo Initiative” was named in honor of Sanusi’s late maternal grandfather, Oba Bisiriyu Ariyo, the first Oba of Amuwo-Kuje, reflecting a long-standing family legacy of community service.
Beyond food distribution, the event also featured the groundbreaking ceremony of the Durbar Junction reconstruction at Mile 2, part of Sanusi’s infrastructure renewal drive. He assured residents that several inner roads including 1st Avenue to Alakija, 2nd Avenue, 7th Avenue, and Agboju Market Road would soon be rehabilitated.
“Despite the challenges of the rainy season, we’re committed to ensuring all inner roads in Amuwo-Odofin are motorable before December,” he assured.
Also present at this event were community leaders and residents at the event commended the initiative. The Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Waheed Atanda, praised the council’s focus on food security, describing it as a critical step toward solving societal problems.
“Good governance means understanding people’s needs. You can’t think straight on an empty stomach. When people are well-fed, they can contribute positively to society,” Atanda said.
Similarly, the President of the Amuwo-Odofin Landlord Residents Association, Prince Adeyemi Muftau-Ayilara, described the gesture as timely, noting that it would “ameliorate the general suffering in society.”
Beneficiaries of the food bags expressed gratitude to the chairman for his continued support.
Mrs. Mulikat Raheem said, “The food pack will go a long way in feeding my family.”
Mrs. Victoria James added, “It’s a good thing he’s doing helping the poor and elderly. We pray he ends well.”