 In the spirit of the festive season, a group, Akoka Compassionate Initiative, has reached out to the needy in its community. The event which held in Yabba area of Lagos had over 500 people in attendance. Our correspondent, Paul Judge reports. Men, women and young adults gather at this venue. They have come to benefit from the demonstration of love of the pioneers of the Akoka Compassionate Initiative at this annual giveaway. Shergun Adesoya is the project manager of the initiative. He is hopeful of increased support. We started with about 10 and last year we did 200 people and this year we are doing 500 this year. And for me, we pray that the law will increase us next year and I believe that the law will increase everybody. You don't know us and everybody so that, I have said it, I have not said it. We are going to do 750 next year. The guest speaker, Professor Tai Bath-Lawancing and the chairman of the fundraising committee of the group explained why the gesture is important during this period. They spoke alongside a member of the committee. Akoka CDA is a community that hosts the University of Lagos and we have a close working relationship with the community and we are very proud of what they are doing because this indeed is what the spirit of community is bringing people together, looking out for those who need help in hand and working together to move, you know, the community forward. Like I said earlier, a community that thrives is a precursor for national building, national development. The funds for this was actually raised within the community. We didn't go to corporate bodies, we didn't go to governments, we went to people within the community. Those who had and they have a little extra, they actually made it happen. I mean, looking at the smell on people's faces, looking at the crowd that is here today, you come to the conclusion that this is a good thing to do and they would like to repeat it again and again as long as you have life. We just want to extend the loving hand to people around us, of course, not only women or men, even children. We made provision for 500 people and as it is now, we have over 500. We have to do more. The beneficiaries expressed delight, urging well-meaning Nigerians to support such gestures. I hope it can be continued here and everyone that arranged this program, thanks to everyone and the community as a whole. I'm really excited and I really appreciate it, I really appreciate it for their work. I'm just happy, I appreciate it. I pray to them that God will continue to uplift them and all the members of the CDA, I pray that by this time this year, they shall be repainting the goodness of their, reward of their goodness in manifold. The high point of the event was the distribution of food items to the beneficiaries. Paul, George, Plus TV News.