KINGSLEY EBERE
It was an atmosphere of celebration and joy as the residents of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State converged at Hon. Folorunso Ola Western’s campaign office at FESTAC town to receive palliatives worth millions of Naira on Saturday, 30th March, 2024.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that among the items shared at the strategic event included rice, fowls, yams and condiments including cash gifts to the people irrespective party affiliation, ethnicity, religion and gender. Those who benefitted included the elderly people, widows, people with disabilities, youths and others.
The second edition of the event tagged “Ola Western Food Test” was attended by APC chieftains in the State including the Lagos State Party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who was represented by Chief Tunde Aboyade, the Vice Chairman APC Lagos West Senatorial District, Chairman of Amuwo Odofin LGA, Engr. (Dr) Valentine Buraimoh, Ward Councillors, chairmen and executives including members of the APC and other political parties in Amuwo Odofin LGA.
Hon. Ola Western, while expressing satisfaction on the success of the programme, stated that it is a yearly event, which he has created to reach the people of Amuwo Odofin as part of his own contributions to support the Lagos State Government palliative initiatives.
“Today’s programme is the second edition. We gave food and cash to people of Amuwo Odofin but this is a special edition, where we gave the LGA Ward excos, some religious leaders, FESTAC association and many more. The reason is to compliment the Governor of Lagos State in his Onje Eko Initiative but ours is free of charge. We gave live chicken to over 700 people, yam, rice and cash gifts. The major aim of all this is to assist the people of Amuwo Odofin in the area of food scarcity and harsh economy so as to give them relief.”
“It’s a yearly event but by next year we will go to hospitals to pay peoples medical bills as an initiative of the first lady of Nigeria. I am passionate about the common people and I do this everyday and not just once in a year. To whom much is given, much is expected. When my time comes God will bring the supporters to support my reelection” Ola Western stated.
The Chairman, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Dr Valentine Buraimoh, commended the event and described Ola as being supportive to the community and has been doing his best to alleviate poverty in the LGA.
“I want to challenge all rich people to follow what Hon. Ola is doing by lending a helping hand especially this Easter period to feed people.”
Otunba Dotun Adedola commended Ola for what he has been doing as a real politician. He noted that real politicians are ambitious but those who are not politicians, come and go.
“So Ola is well loved; we wish him well as he doesn’t accept failure. I believe before the next election he is going do something great.”
The Chief Imam of Ifelodun Central Mosque in FESTAC town, Alhaji Bello, stated that he was overwhelmed by what he saw at the event and described Hon. Ola as a good man and a trustworthy person.
“I want to advise him to be patient and determined as what will be his own will not elude him as you can see an example with Bola Ahmed Tinubu in spite the backlash and tribulations, he still became the President of Nigeria.”
Another beneficiary of Ola’s gesture, Miss Olushola Akinibosu, representing the physically challenged in Amuwo Odofin, expressed her happiness and gratitude to Hon. Ola, who has made Easter celebrations worth it for the physically challenged people in the LGA.
Hon. Dr Ben Stephen summarized the opinion of the people present at the event by saying, “By this act, Hon.Ola has done something never done before. He has not been elected yet; he contested and lost the election but he keeps doing good. He has been giving and helping people and next year I am certain he will be elected”.