It was a day of joy, relief, and renewed hope as 22 youths from Ikorodu Federal Constituency secured employment into various Federal Government agencies, marking a life-changing milestone in their lives.

The beneficiaries received their letters of employment on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in an emotional ceremony facilitated by Rep. Babajimi Benson, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency.

The event captured moments of gratitude, and excitement as years of perseverance and uncertainty finally gave way to opportunity.

Many of the beneficiaries had endured long periods of job searching, navigating countless applications and waiting for responses that never came. Their stories, however, took a positive turn through a transparent and merit-based process that set this initiative apart.

Out of the 22 beneficiaries, 20 were selected through the icarejobs.ng platform, where youths across Ikorodu had earlier submitted their credentials for consideration. The process was widely commended for its fairness, as selections were made strictly based on qualifications without favoritism or backdoor influence.

The remaining two beneficiaries emerged from a unique initiative during the October 19, 2025 Apo Aanu Food Distribution, where five youths were randomly chosen for employment consideration. From that gesture, two ultimately secured federal appointments.

Observers also noted the strong emphasis on gender inclusion, with women forming the majority of the beneficiaries—an outcome seen as a deliberate effort to empower female youths within the constituency.

In another notable move, selection was based on residency and contribution to Ikorodu Division rather than ancestral origin, reinforcing inclusivity and community belonging.

Speaking at the event, Rep. Benson attributed the opportunity to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aligning the initiative with the Renewed Hope agenda.

“I am not the one giving these jobs,” Benson stated. “This is the work of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, committed to creating opportunities for young Nigerians. We are only connecting our people to these opportunities.”

Also speaking, Mayor Deen Sanwoola, Director-General of the Jimi Benson iCare Foundation, emphasized the credibility of the process, describing it as a model of transparency and merit.

“Everyone here applied through the same platform. No one got this through personal connections. This is merit at work,” he said.

The beneficiaries, in their remarks, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and Rep. Benson, pledging to serve diligently and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The event was attended by key stakeholders, including Azeezat Apanisile, alongside other dignitaries who shared in the celebration.

Beyond the ceremony, the initiative sent a broader message about the power of fairness and opportunity in restoring hope. For the 22 beneficiaries, it marked the beginning of a new chapter, while for many others, it rekindled belief in a system that can work.