An All Progressives Congress candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Gbenga Abiola, has pledged to introduce welfare and empowerment programmes for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable residents of Agege if elected.
Abiola, who is seeking to represent Agege Constituency I and succeed the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, made the pledge during an engagement with members of the Association of Persons Living with Disabilities, Agege Chapter, on Monday.
The candidate outlined proposed social welfare initiatives designed to address the needs of vulnerable residents, particularly persons living with disabilities, elderly people and economically disadvantaged households.
He said his proposed programmes would include an Automated Food Bank aimed at providing organised food assistance to people who require support.
According to him, persons with disabilities would receive priority attention under the initiative, alongside elderly residents and other vulnerable households.
Abiola said, “A society cannot claim to be making meaningful progress when its most vulnerable members are left behind.
“Our programmes must be inclusive, compassionate, and deliberately structured to reach those who need support the most.
“The proposed Automated Food Bank is designed to provide an organised food-support system, with persons living with disabilities receiving priority attention alongside elderly residents and other vulnerable households.”
He also disclosed plans to establish a walk-in superstore where qualified vulnerable residents of Agege could access essential food items and household necessities.
The candidate explained that the proposed facility would operate through an organised support arrangement to ensure that beneficiaries could obtain basic household supplies.
He said the planned interventions were informed by the need for governance to address the economic and social challenges confronting vulnerable members of the constituency.
Abiola added that persons with disabilities should not be treated as an afterthought in governance, empowerment programmes and community development.
He reaffirmed his vision of a constituency where social protection, economic opportunities, accessibility and human dignity would form important parts of representation.
Speaking on behalf of the association, its Agege Chapter Chairman, Alhaja Sekinat Abolaji, appreciated Abiola’s engagement with members and his interest in their welfare.
Abolaji also acknowledged his previous empowerment efforts and declared the association’s support for his candidacy.
She said the meeting attracted representatives from different ethnic groups, networks and sections of the disability community, providing an opportunity for members to discuss their concerns and expectations.
According to her, the engagement allowed participants to exchange ideas on programmes that could address the specific challenges confronting persons with disabilities and other vulnerable residents.
She stressed the importance of listening to affected communities and developing interventions that respond to their actual needs.
The meeting forms part of Abiola’s engagements with different groups in Agege as he seeks election to the Lagos State House of Assembly in the 2027 general election.
His proposed welfare initiatives are yet to be implemented and remain campaign commitments subject to his election and the necessary arrangements for their execution.
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