A non-governmental organisation, Food Alms Foundation has disbursed food items to indigent and vulnerable persons in Lagos in her quest to reduce hunger due to the current economic situation of the country.
The co-founder, Food Alms Foundation, Mr. Ibrahim Oladapo Durosomo stated this in the Surulere area of Lagos while doling out raw food items and cash to the less privileged people, saying the foundation plans to start a skills acquisition programme to empower people so that they can earn a living.
Muslim News gathered that some of the edible food items distributed by the newly floated foundation with the aim of solving hunger problems in the community include rice, noodles, sugar, salt, palm oil, among others.
Speaking further, Mr. Durosomo 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.”
He stressed that the foundation plans to start a skills acquisition programme to empower members of the community to become financially independent and employers of labour.
“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 to support their lives and go about their daily spendings,” he said.
He cited the teachings of the Qur’an, saying the foundation extols the Islamic faith that echoes giving from the abundance that one possesses to the less privileged, needy and the vulnerable in the society, irrespective of their religious or ideological leanings.
According to him, we are Muslims and our holy book, the noble Qur’an tells us to do good for humanity, irrespective of their religion. Basically, Islam teaches us that the money given to you is not for you alone but for the less privileged and needy who surround you,” he said.
He called on the federal government to wake up to the plight of the citizens without the basic need in regards to feeding and channel their humanitarian gestures through non-governmental organisations.
He said, “We can see the situation of the country now. 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 program 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,” he said.
Also, the 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.
One of the beneficiaries, Alfa Saheed Alaka, a father of three children thanked the foundation for its kind gesture, praying God continues to help them.
“A father of 3, 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.
