The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday flagged off the “Eko Cares” Initiative, a social intervention programme aimed at cushioning the hardship in the land with over 500,000 households in the first phase.
The beneficiaries were spread across 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas of the state.
The intervention involved the distribution of foodstuffs to the vulnerable residents including 10-kilogramme rice, 5kg garri, 5kg beans, tomatoes, and noodles, all in combo packs, among others.
Daily Trust reports that the governor had earlier set up a non-partisan 11-man Special Dispensation Advisory Council of eminent Nigerians, comprising rights activists, religious leaders, a youth representative and opposition party chieftains. The council is headed by the deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.
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Sanwo-Olu at the flag-off ceremony warned representatives from the respective councils against hoarding the items, saying there should be even distribution of the food items to other less privileged people in their communities.
He stated that his administration was determined to continuously make life easier and decent for the residents just as he urged residents to continue to give support for the present administration.
He added that the food items would be distributed through community leaders, religious organisations, trade unions, youth organisations, People with Disabilities clusters, and human rights groups.
The governor also announced that the Ounje Eko market initiative where foodstuff is sold at a 25 per cent discounted price held on weekly Sunday, will continue until further notice.