The Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) has launched a food bank initiative to cater for vulnerable workers in Lagos State as part of efforts to address hunger and food insecurity in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
The Founder and Chairman of AAF, Akinjide Adeosun, kicked off the pilot phase of the initiative by distributing food packs to numerous cleaners and security guards in the Lekki, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi areas of the state on Monday to mark his 57th birthday.
Adeosun, who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of St. Rachael’s Pharma, said the initiative was out of deep concern about the growing hunger crisis in the country, exacerbated by recent economic reforms, such as fuel subsidy removal and forex liberalisation.
“What we are witnessing today is the downside of bold economic decisions. People are hungry and angry. Our research confirmed that 100 per cent of the cleaners and security men we surveyed identified hunger as their number one challenge,” he said.
He mentioned that the food packs would be distributed monthly through churches, mosques, and communities for three to six months.
“This is not a one-off event. We’ve been consistent in our advocacy for education and health for nine years. Now, we are adding food as a third pillar,” Adeosun said.
He urged the government and private sector to embrace structured food bank models to ensure long-term impact and reduce the need for seasonal palliatives.
Adeosun said that with proper systems in place, food banks could restore dignity and reduce crimes driven by hunger.
He also expressed readiness to work with partners, while appealing for collaboration with the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to scale the model.
The Founder of HealthPlus Limited, Mrs Bukky George, commended Adeosun for his visionary entrepreneurship and committed advocacy of SDG 3 and SDG 2.
She said Adeosun is not only ensuring access to affordable healthcare but also developing principled leaders and feeding those who are hungry.
One of the beneficiaries, Michael Oluwafemi, a security guard, expressed heartfelt appreciation, saying: “When you have enough food, it means you’re no longer suffering from poverty. That’s why I value this food.”
Another beneficiary, Ibrahim Joseph, noted the wider impact of the initiative, saying: “This food means a lot. Many people can’t even get food now because it’s so expensive in Lekki. Some can’t go to work because there’s nothing to eat, and even business owners can’t afford to pay salaries.”
