… Says they are in govt to make life better for the people, no Lagosian should go to bed hungry
By Henry Umahi
•Sanwo-Olu unveiling social intervention programme
The hall was filled to the brim. Excited men and women milled around. It was the venue of the official inauguration of Eko Cares, a Lagos State social intervention initiative, aimed at nurturing hope and empowering lives.
Flagging off the programme, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed that food packs will be distributed to 500,000 vulnerable households in the state under the social intervention programme. He appealed to community leaders to ensure that the aim was not defeated.
•Sanwo-Olu, Hazmat and others at the event
He said: “500,000 vulnerable households are to benefit from the Eko Care initiative through the LCDAs, CDAs and local governments.
“Please, ensure that it gets to the vulnerable. Do not hoard it, let it serve the purpose for which it was created.
“The food is not only meant for those that greet you in the society or those that are your friends, it is meant for everyone.
“Also, the Sunday market at various locations across the state continues, we will continue to ensure that residents of our dear state live a stress -free life.’
The governor commended President Bola Tinubu on the distribution of palliatives to states to cushion the effect of economic hardship. According to him, all 36 states have taken delivery of grains of different types from the Federal Government.
Sanwo-Olu restated the commitment of the state government to improving the welfare and well-being of residents. He said the payment of N35,000 allowance to augment the salary of civil servants was one of the ways the government was supporting residents in the face of the stark economy.
“Hopefully the new minimum wage will soon be announced,” he stated.
Sanwo-Olu urged residents to reciprocate government’s efforts by playing their own role as well.
He said: “Take care of your environment, and obey environmental law, this is one of your civil responsibilities.
“Be the eyes and ears of government in your community, protect public facilities, governance is a symbiotic relationship.”
In the opening address, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, said that Eko Cares was a comprehensive response of the Lagos State Government to the temporary hardship occasioned by the global economic crises. He said it was yet another milestone recorded by the Sanwo-Olu administration.
Omotoso said: “This day marks the official unveiling of Eko Cares, a comprehensive response of the Lagos State Government to the temporary hardship occasioned by the global economic crises.
“Since his assumption of office in May 2019, Gov. Sanwo-Olu has always demonstrated a penchant for keeping his word. He has distinguished himself as a leader whose word is his bond. It is, thus, not surprising that “Mr. Talk and Do” is fulfilling the promise that he made during the media chat on February 22 – to unveil a comprehensive package of socio-economic interventions to reduce the current hardship in the land.
“This gathering is a continuation of the government’s bold efforts to lighten the burden on residents, especially the most vulnerable among us—the poorest of the poor—those who do not know where the next meal will come from.
“Eko Cares, which is being unveiled today, is an aggregate of all the measures designed to ease the pain of our vulnerable citizens, who have no one else to turn to for succour.
“Ounje Eko, an integral part of Eko Cares, has already kicked off across the state. For the sixth Sunday running, residents have continued to troop out to buy various items at the Sunday Markets, where they enjoy an unprecedented 25% discount on all food items.
“Basic foods such as rice, beans, garri, eggs, bread, pepper, and tomatoes, among others, were sold at the markets by designated vendors.
“The feedback received from the programme has been inspiring, with excited residents praising the government for its empathy and thoughtfulness.
“Besides the “Ounje Eko” initiative, food items, which include 10kg rice, 5kg garri, 5kg beans, and tomatoes, among others, all in combo packs, will be distributed to over 500,000 households.
“EKO Cares is being supervised by the Special Dispensation Advisory Committee on Social Interventions (SPEDAC), an eleven-man, non-partisan body set up to advise the government on the various initiatives lined up to help the poor weather the storm.
“This administration has touched the lives of every resident who requires public transportation, seeks medical care, works in the public service, and feeds from the agricultural food items sold in Lagos State.”
Omotoso thanked the governor for the discounts given in the transportation and agriculture sectors to make life bearable for Lagosians in the face of economic hardship as well as the free medical benefits to families.
Video clips of the Sunday markets were played for the audience, showing Lagosians in various locations buying food items at discounted rate. They expressed their gratitude to the governor for the soul-lifting efforts.
Deputy governor, Dr. Femi Hamzat; chief of staff to the governor, Tayo Ayinde; head of service, Bode Agoro; members of the state executive council, body of permanent secretaries, chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), religious bodies, people with special needs, traditional rulers and community development associations, among others, were present at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, venue of the programme.
