By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Isiaka Gbadesere, a supervisor at Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Area, has publicly challenged Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA (Lagos East), over the perceived concentration of empowerment efforts in Ikorodu. Senator Abiru, who represents the Lagos East Senatorial District covering Ikorodu, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Shomolu, and Kosofe, recently faced criticism for allegedly distributing farm inputs exclusively to farmers in Ikorodu.
The distribution, part of a series of agric-focused direct interventions, aims to boost food production among livestock and crop farmers in the primarily agricultural communities of Ikorodu, Epe, and Ibeju-Lekki. However, this focus has drawn ire from other areas within the senator’s constituency.
Gbadesere voiced his concerns following reports of the latest distribution. “This is the third time such an empowerment initiative has been concentrated in Ikorodu,” he noted. “Why are the people of Kosofe not among the beneficiaries?”
The exclusion of Kosofe from these agricultural interventions raises questions about the equitable distribution of resources and support across the senator’s jurisdiction. Gbadesire’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among Kosofe residents, who feel overlooked in favor of their neighbors in Ikorodu.
As the debate continues, stakeholders within the Lagos East Senatorial District are calling for a more balanced approach to empowerment initiatives, ensuring that all communities receive the support needed to thrive.