Foundation backs less-privileged, vulnerable people
A non-governmental organisation, Food Alms Foundation, has disbursed food items to indigent and vulnerable persons in Lagos.
The Co-founder of the foundation, Ibrahim Durosomo, said the gesture was to reduce hunger due to the current economic situation.Presenting the raw food items and cash to the less privileged, in Surulere, Lagos, Durosomo said the foundation plans to start skills acquisition programme to empower people.
He said: “It is a humanitarian organisation that is here to support the masses with raw food items, prepared food and cash. We hope to sustain the philanthropic gesture and extend it to other states of the federation in the foreseeable future.“In the long run, we want to get to a level that we will empower people but we have to start with this, then we advance to empowerment where we train people about how to become financially independent.”
He called on the federal government to wake up to the plight of the citizens by channelling their humanitarian gestures through non-governmental organisations.He said: “People are really suffering. Things are really hard due to the subsidy removal. That’s why we came up with this NGO to assist the poor with the limited resources at our disposal. We task ourselves and seek favours from friends and colleagues. We can’t do it alone, that’s why we are also calling on government at all levels to support us.
“Let the government at all levels draw a programme that will take food to people’s doors. Of course, I am aware the Lagos State government recently launched a food bank support initiative for NGOs in order to distribute food items to vulnerable people. They can reach out to more NGos including ours, for effective and efficient disbursement.”
Also, speaking Co-founder, Abduljelil Adeyemi, reiterated that the vision of the foundation is to alleviate hunger pang in the community, noting, “the NGO has the sole responsibility of feeding the people. As our slogan says “action against hunger, goodness to humanity.“Food is one of the major aspects of human life and an integral part of their welfare, therefore, solving hunger problems is very essential,” he said.
However, he said that the NGO has financial limitations, appealing for the support from government.“As an NGO, we need the support of government. We appreciate our donors who support us to actualise what we are doing today. It is a great initiative that we started and we are hopeful of its going a long way,” he said.A beneficiary, Alfa Saheed Alaka, a father of three children thanked the foundation for its kind gesture, praying God continues to help them.“I am very happy because eating is a little difficult. I have had eye defects since 12 years ago and they help us at intervals. May God help them as well,” he said.Another beneficiary, Chidimma Nwachukwu, couldn’t hide her happiness, praying God Almighty to bless the Foundation.According to her, “I’m very very happy. This is a good programme and it brings peace of mind for people. God will continue to bless them, prosper them in whatever they lay their hands on.Muhammad Nuhu excited to be among the beneficiaries, saying such programme should be happening frequently to aid peace of mind for everybody.“If more people give us foods like this, we’d continue to pray for them. These people aren’t selfish. They want other people not to go hungry. May Allah continue to reward them,” he said
