To empower vulnerable Lagos residents, the Lafiaji Development Association (LDA), a non-governmental organisation, has distributed food palliatives to about 600 beneficiaries across five zones in the Lafiaji area of Lagos State.
Now in its second edition, the association first donated food palliatives to members of the Lagos Island community in 2024.
Florentino Sanya, founder of the association, said during the distribution exercise held recently at the Lafiaji Community Centre, that the gesture was intended to support vulnerable residents amid prevailing economic challenges.
“Those of us who have our roots in this part of Lagos came together to form this association to give back to our society. This year, we are once again assisting vulnerable people in our locality with food items, which has become a tradition of the LDA,” Sanya said.
According to him, the beneficiaries were drawn from the five zones in Lafiaji, namely Oke Suna, Sango-Simpson, Araromi, Obalende and Ije.
The founder explained that the donation was also a way of giving back to the communities where members of the association were born and raised.
Adekunle Gonzalo, president of the LDA, said that the association initiated the food distribution initiative in 2024 to support vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly.
Gonzalo noted that before the introduction of the food distribution programme, the association had supported the five communities through medical outreach programmes, empowerment schemes and educational sponsorships, among other interventions.
“Christmas is a season of giving, and that is why we are here to give back to our people,” he said.
He added that the association spent an average of N8 million on the initiative, noting that plans were underway to expand the initiative from an annual event to a twice-yearly programme.
Also, Niyi Becroft, a member of the association, said the LDA would continue to intensify efforts to support vulnerable residents of Lafiaji through various interventions.
“The primary objective today is to support our vulnerable senior and young citizens with food palliatives. We care about our community,” he noted.
Adding that, “Christmas is the season, and giving is our mission.”
Beneficiaries commended the association for its gesture and sustained commitment to community development. Some of the food items distributed included rice, condiments, groundnut oil and beverages.
