Alaye: “This outreach did not start because of any campaign”
The APC Youth Network West Africa has continued its weekly humanitarian intervention in Lagos despite questions over the political implications of the programme, completing its eighth consecutive community outreach at Agidingbi, Ikeja.
The latest exercise saw more than 1,000 beneficiaries receive food items and other forms of support as the organisation maintained its commitment to grassroots community service.
The initiative, led by the Director-General of the APC Youth Network West Africa, DG Olatunde Gideon Igbasan, has been running on a weekly basis and is targeted at vulnerable residents.
However, the programme’s continuation amid heightened political activities has triggered questions over whether it is connected to electioneering.
But His Royal Highness, Dr. Oluwamayowa Jose, the Alaye, rejected the suggestion, saying the initiative was already in existence before the current campaign activities.
“This outreach did not start because of any campaign. It has been ongoing for weeks, and today marks the eighth week,” he said.
The traditional ruler said the primary objective of the exercise was to provide relief to people, give back to society and bring smiles to individuals and families facing difficulties.
He argued that acts of charity should not automatically be viewed through a political lens, stressing the importance of community service irrespective of the prevailing political climate.
The eighth edition attracted a large crowd to the APC Youth Network West Africa Secretariat, with volunteers assisting organisers in managing the distribution process.
Organisers said the increasing participation recorded from one week to another demonstrated the growing demand for grassroots assistance.
They explained that the programme was not limited to the distribution of food but also sought to promote volunteerism, compassion and social responsibility among young Nigerians.
The initiative, they said, has equally helped strengthen interaction between community leaders, volunteers and residents.
With the completion of its eighth week, the organisers have pledged to sustain the intervention and explore ways of extending it to more communities.
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As political activities intensify ahead of future elections, the organisers maintain that the programme’s emphasis remains community service and humanitarian assistance.
For the beneficiaries, however, the immediate impact is practical: food and support for families who need it, regardless of the wider political debate surrounding the initiative.
