By Our Correspondent
ABEOKUTA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Chief Toyin Anthony Amuzu, has distributed free 4kg cooking gas cylinders to more than 600 residents of Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State as part of his ongoing humanitarian and community support initiatives.
The beneficiaries, the majority of whom were women, received the gas cylinders during a distribution exercise held at Ijeja, Abeokuta, on Tuesday. The programme, which commenced at about 8:00 a.m. and ended around 3:00 p.m., attracted hundreds of residents seeking relief from the rising cost of living and the increasing prices of household energy.
Addressing beneficiaries and supporters at the event, Amuzu said the initiative was designed to ease the financial burden on households that rely on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship.
According to him, the intervention is part of a broader commitment by the Toyin Amuzu Foundation to provide targeted support to different segments of society through programmes tailored to their specific needs.
He recalled that the foundation had recently distributed free fuel to commercial motorcycle operators and taxi drivers across Abeokuta South to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices and transportation costs.
"We previously supported commercial motorcycle riders and taxi drivers with free fuel. This cooking gas programme is intended to assist households that depend on gas for cooking. We recognise that different groups have different needs, and we will continue to design interventions that respond to those needs as resources permit," he said.
Amuzu, however, maintained that while humanitarian interventions are important in providing immediate relief, they cannot replace sound economic policies capable of delivering long-term prosperity.
He said his aspiration to represent Abeokuta South in the House of Representatives is driven by a desire to champion policies that promote sustainable development rather than temporary palliatives.
"My priority will be to support and champion legislation that strengthens social protection, empowers families economically and accelerates community development. Our philosophy is to help people acquire the means to earn a sustainable livelihood rather than depend indefinitely on relief materials. We want to support people to catch fish, not merely give them fish to eat," he stated.
The PDP standard-bearer also underscored the importance of reliable electricity in driving economic growth, arguing that stable power supply remains one of the most effective ways of stimulating businesses, reducing production costs and creating employment opportunities.
He said improved electricity infrastructure would significantly enhance the productivity of small and medium-scale enterprises while encouraging investment and expanding economic opportunities for residents.
Amuzu added that the vision aligns with the development agenda of the Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, Chief Oladipupo Adebutu, who has consistently pledged to prioritise electricity and infrastructure development as critical components of the state's economic transformation strategy.
Although he currently occupies no elective or appointive public office, Amuzu noted that the Toyin Amuzu Foundation has continued to implement numerous community-based projects across Abeokuta South.
According to him, the foundation has undertaken initiatives including the construction of boreholes to improve access to potable water, installation of solar-powered street lights, business support schemes for entrepreneurs, educational assistance for students and various welfare programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of residents.
He appealed to residents who were unable to benefit from the cooking gas distribution because of the overwhelming turnout not to lose hope, assuring them that additional phases of the programme would be organised to accommodate more people.
"We are encouraged by the large turnout, which also reflects the level of need in our communities. Those who could not benefit today should remain patient. We intend to continue this intervention so that more households can be reached in subsequent phases," he said.
Several beneficiaries described the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that the free cooking gas would help reduce household expenses at a period of rising inflation and increasing living costs.
Some of the recipients expressed appreciation to Amuzu and the Toyin Amuzu Foundation, saying the intervention would enable families to prepare meals with less financial strain while providing temporary relief from prevailing economic challenges.
The distribution exercise is the latest in a series of social intervention programmes organised by the foundation, reinforcing Amuzu's focus on community welfare, economic empowerment and grassroots engagement as he prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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