The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State yesterday reiterated its commitment to welfare programmes for the masses.
The chapter donated food, drinks and other consumables to 14 orphanages across the three senatorial districts.
The welfare package is the initiative of the Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, a cleric and grassroots politician, who said the month of Ramadan and Easter period had made the extension of the duty of care to the needy more compelling.
Noting that the orphanages were facing hard times, the chairman said they needed assistance from public-spirited people.
He said the welfare programme was consistent with the antecedent of APC as a people-friendly party.
Ojelabi said: “Our government is desirous of reducing poverty among our people, irrespective of ethnic and religious backgrounds. WAEC and NECO fees are paid by our government for students in public schools. We have our skill acquisition centres to equip youths for future. With N5,000 or N7,000, you can access our free medical service.”
The items were handed over to the homes at the party secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja.
Ojelabi, who described Lagos APC as a compassionate and people-oriented chapter, urged the centres to use them for the intended purpose.
The chairman was accompanied by his deputy, Mayegun, Vice Chairman Olayinka Oladunjoye (Lagos East), Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo and other officers.
Representatives of the orphanage homes, including Mother Theresa, Hope of the Future, Finger of God, Compassionate, Little Saints, Last Hope, Peace of Life Goodwill and Beautiful Gate thanked the party for its generosity.
One of them, Ganiyu Oladosu, said the gesture, if emulated by other corporate organisations and governments, would stop banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
Lamenting the neglect of the poor and needy in the society, he said no fewer than 1,000 children sleep in motor parks in many parts of Lagos State.
Ojelabi said the items were donated in appreciation of the role of the homes in catering for the less privileged with their meagre resources on behalf of the society.
He said: “You are making them better citizens of the country. If they are neglected, they will become liabilities to the society. It is not that we are buoyant, but we must reach out to you as a progressive party.
“APC is for the comfort of the people, the masses, the less privileged; to complement the efforts of the government. You are small in number. We are starting small. We will sustain the yearly programme.”