The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency in the forthcoming 2027 House of Representatives election, Chief Toyin Anthony Amuzu, has distributed free 4kg cooking gas each to 600 residents, with women forming the majority of the beneficiaries.
The exercise, organised in Ijeja area of Abeokuta on Tuesday started around 8:00 am and ended around 3:00 pm as part of a series of social intervention programmes aimed at providing relief to residents amid rising living costs.
According to Chief Toyin Amuzu, the cooking gas distribution is targeted at households that rely on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking and is intended to reduce the financial burden on families.
The programme comes weeks after his foundation distributed free fuel to commercial motorcycle riders and taxi drivers in Abeokuta South to cushion the effect of hardship on the people. Foundation officials said while the earlier intervention focused on easing transportation costs, the latest initiative was designed to support families, particularly women responsible for household cooking.
Speaking during the distribution, Chief Amuzu said he would continue to expand its social support initiatives to accommodate different segments of the society.
"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, stressed that charitable interventions alone cannot provide lasting solutions to the economic challenges confronting many Nigerians. According to him, such programmes are temporary relief measures intended to cushion the effects of hardship, while the long-term objective is to pursue policies that create sustainable economic opportunities.
"If elected to the House of Representatives, 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 said.
Chief Toyin Amuzu said it intends to sustain its humanitarian programmes while advocating policies that promote self-reliance, economic inclusion and sustainable development across Abeokuta South. He however appealed to those who could not get due to the large crowd, saying it would soon get to their turn.
He added that improving access to reliable electricity would be one of the key drivers of economic empowerment, noting that stable power supply would enable small businesses to reduce operating costs, improve productivity and create jobs. According to him, this aligns with the commitment of the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Chief Oladipupo Adebutu, to prioritise electricity and other infrastructure as part of a broader strategy for economic growth and improved living standards if elected.
Although he does not currently hold any elective or appointive public office, Chief Amuzu has, through the Toyin Amuzu Foundation, undertaken a number of community-based projects, including the provision of boreholes, installation of solar-powered street lights, business support initiatives, educational assistance and other welfare programmes.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the cooking gas distribution, describing it as a timely intervention in view of the current economic challenges. They said the support would help reduce household expenses and ease the cost of preparing meals.
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