As government’s free food distributions enters its second phase, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, has explained that it was necessitated by the harsh economy.

He said government embarked on it to cushion the economic effects on families, as it could not look away as the people suffer.According to him, over 100,000 women had benefited from the first phase of the exercise.

Yesterday, it was the turn of women in Akoko North East, Akoko North West, Akoko South West and Akoko South East to receive their deliveries.

The exercise would continue today in Owo, Ose, Ifedore and Akure-North local council areas.Akinmade explained that the palliatives had been successfully given to women in Okitipupa, Ese-Odo, Irele Ilaje, Okitipupa, Odigbo, Ondo-East and Ile-Oluji-Okeigbo local councils.

The commissioner added that though 100,000 women were envisaged in its first phase, its impact on the people made government to extend it to another 70,000 beneficiaries.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko said the programme, also called “Eto Igbe Ayo,” is meant for women irrespective of their political affiliations.

He said the state’s residency card, also called “Kaadi Igbe-Ayo,” is the only requirement for would-be beneficiaries.The card is needed to authenticate that the beneficiaries are genuine residents of the state.

Mimiko urged the people to re-order their priorities in the face of the harsh economic situation in the country. He called for the restructuring of the country to get out of the situation.

Meanwhile, the Eyitayo Jegede Campaign Organisation has warned the people against consuming the loaves of bread allegely being distributed by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A statement by the organisation’s chairman, Mr. Kayode Fasua, said some people who consumed the bread had been taken to hospital for treatment.He alleged that supporters of the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, distributed the contaminated bread.

Fasua explained that tests conducted by microbiologists revealed that they contained potassium bromide, which could cause cancer and stomach rumbling.

The statement reads: “Our attention had been drawn to the circulation of loaves of bread by the agents of the APC’s governorship candidate, Mr. Akeredolu.

“Although there is nothing bad in distributing bread in an atmosphere of hunger that was induced by the APC-led Federal Government, our major concern is that the bread is contaminated.”

He said potassium bromide had been banned in the country by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Fasua urged the people to reject the bread and demand an explanation from Akeredolu on how “the APC that has impoverished Nigerians” would create wealth if elected.

According to him, the people are hungry due to the clueless policies of the ruling national party.He warned: “The people should not be made to suffer a double jeopardy by feeding them with poisoned bread, at a time that hunger is ravaging the nation.”He urged the people to support Eyitayo Jegede who has a blueprint for the socio-economic development of the state.