In a deliberate move to reward merit, promote healthy academic competition, and deepen his long-standing investment in education, the Member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, on Monday, December 15, 2025, sponsored a Christmas Shopping and Hangout for outstanding pupils from public primary schools across Ikorodu Division.

The event, held at Sinomart Mall within the Palms Shopping Mall, Victoria Island, brought together 420 pupils and about 50 teachers from government-owned primary schools across the constituency.

Unlike a random selection, the beneficiaries emerged through a structured, performance-based process. From each participating primary school, the best-performing pupil in Primary One, Primary Two, Primary Three, Primary Four, Primary Five, and Primary Six was selected based strictly on academic results for the year.

In addition, the overall best pupil from each school was also selected, ensuring that excellence was rewarded across all learning levels and that every school had multiple representatives.

The pupils were first treated to a cinema experience inside the mall, with popcorn and soft drinks served during the movie session. For many of them, it marked their first-ever visit to a cinema and their first experience of a leisure outing outside Ikorodu.

The highlight of the day followed immediately after, as each pupil received shopping vouchers personally sponsored by Rep. Benson, granting them the freedom to shop for items of their choice at Sinomart Mall. The teachers who accompanied the pupils were also appreciated with shopping vouchers in recognition of their role in nurturing academic excellence.

Speaking on the initiative Mayor Deen Sawoola, the Director General of iCare Foundation who represented Rep. Babajimi Benson explained that the Christmas Shopping and Hangout was designed to deliberately celebrate excellence, motivate pupils to aim higher, and inspire their peers to embrace diligence and discipline in their studies.

He noted that the initiative would be sustained as a yearly tradition, reinforcing the message that hard work and academic distinction attract recognition and reward.

The programme also enjoyed strong grassroots and institutional backing, as the Chairmen of the six Local Government and Local Council Development Areas that make up Ikorodu Federal Constituency financially supported the initiative by topping up the shopping vouchers allocated to pupils from their respective councils.

A morale-boosting moment occurred at the convergence point in Ikorodu, where the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, Mayor Ameen Olawale Apanishile; Ikorodu West LCDA Chairman, Hon. (Chief) Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju; Ijede LCDA Chairman, Hon. (Mrs.) Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba; and Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA Chairman, Omo’ba Hammed Ọlálékan Aroyewun, joined the pupils and teachers on behalf of their colleagues who were unavoidably absent.

The Education Secretary of the Ikorodu Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Alhaji Taiwo Odumbo described the initiative as timely and transformative, noting that it aligns with his long-standing advocacy for a balanced approach to education. He explained that education should not be limited to the cognitive domain alone but must also incorporate the affective and psychomotor domains to ensure holistic development.

According to him, exposing pupils to learning experiences outside the four walls of the classroom is critical to shaping their mindset, confidence, and overall growth. He emphasized that such outings help public school pupils feel included and adequately prepared to compete favourably with their counterparts in private schools.

Alhaji Odumbo further praised Rep. Benson for demonstrating a people-centred approach to leadership, stressing that the lawmaker’s commitment goes beyond infrastructure projects to directly impacting young lives through education and welfare-driven initiatives.

He also highlighted the inclusive nature of the programme, which brought together pupils, teachers, LGEA staff, and key education stakeholders, describing the gathering as a moment of collective pride for public primary education in Ikorodu. He noted that many of the pupils were experiencing such an outing for the first time, making the initiative even more significant.

Concluding, the Education Secretary stated that the exposure would positively influence the pupils’ academic outcomes and mindset, equipping them with confidence and motivation to excel, while reaffirming his gratitude to Rep. Babajimi Benson for the laudable and inspiring intervention.

In addition to the cinema snacks, the pupils and teachers were later treated to packaged meals after the shopping exercise, further adding to the festive atmosphere.

Many of the pupils described the outing as an unforgettable experience, expressing delight at visiting a cinema for the first time and choosing their own items during the shopping exercise.

The Christmas Shopping and Hangout once again underscores Rep. Babajimi Benson’s people-centred representation and consistent emphasis on education, youth development, and merit-based encouragement across Ikorodu Federal Constituency.