By Ghazali Ibrahim 
On April 19, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu federal constituency, distributed hundreds of food packs popularly known as Apo Anu to residents through his iCARE Foundation.
The food drive, held at his constituency office in Igbogbo, featured essential items such as rice, beans, and cooking staples, and was aimed at easing the burden of inflation during the Easter festivities.
For beneficiaries like Mrs. Funmilayo Adeyemi, the relief was palpable.
“I am so grateful to Rep. Babajimi Benson for thinking of us this Easter. This food pack will go a long way in helping my family,” she said with a smile.
Another resident, Mr. Taiwo Oladapo, added, “Rep. Benson’s kindness knows no bounds. This gesture has truly brought us joy and hope this Easter season.”
Benson, who has gained significant grassroots support in recent years, said the gesture was part of his ongoing commitment to people-centered representation.
“This isn’t just about food it’s about dignity, compassion, and standing with our people through tough times,” he said during a brief address at the event.
The food distribution comes on the heels of a separate event where the lawmaker handed over car keys to several constituents in recognition of their service and loyalty to the community.
Combined, the events have bolstered Benson’s reputation as a representative who “builds people as well as roads,” according to Deaconess Busola Isikalu, Iyaloja-General of Ikorodu.
Yet, even as Benson’s efforts are praised by many, they have also reignited conversations around the role of philanthropy in Nigerian politics.
“Empowerment programs like this serve immediate needs, but they also raise larger questions,” said Kola Adebajo, a political commentator.
“Should access to basic necessities rely on the goodwill of elected officials, or should it be part of a broader, institutional framework?”
In a time of rising food prices and deepening economic hardship, gestures like Benson’s are a welcome gesture for many.
But they also expose the dependency gap between elected leaders and constituents in communities where social safety nets remain thin.
Still, for hundreds of Ikorodu residents who carried food packs home on Saturday, the gesture was deeply appreciated—regardless of the politics surrounding it.
As Mrs. Adeyemi put it simply, “Today, we eat because someone remembered us.”
