A non-governmental organisation, Bunmi Obakoya Foundation (OBF), as part of measures to minimise the current effects of economic hardship faced by the masses has commenced sharing food palliative and cash intervention to older residents of the Ilupeju axis of Lagos.
Commenting at the event tagged “Let Love Lead” the foundation’s founder, Hon. Bunmi Obakoya disclosed that the initiative is aimed at providing succour to older people in society, as well as catering to the needs of women and youth empowerment.
The philanthropist remarked that as part of activities to commemorate her birthday, the food palliative and cash intervention initiatives have been to Yaba, Magodo with plans to extend to other places around Lagos. She stated,”We are working on going to Omole very soon. I grew up in Ilupeju. And this is actually where I was brought up from and that’s why we are here in Ilupeju to distribute these palliatibes to them”.
The businesswoman asserts that the government can not do it all, hence there is a need for individual support to the masses and the aged in society. “Well, my foundation is Bunmi Obakoya Foundation. It’s about youths, women, and the old. It doesn’t have anything to do with politics.
If you’re Igbo, if you’re Yoruba, if you’re Hausa, I’m there to support In any capacity that I can support, my foundation is ready to support,” she averred. She asserts that some of the alleviating initiatives the foundation has undertaken include the recent donation of 2,000 5kg rice to 2,000 people in the society.
“We realized that the country is not smiling. And there’s poverty and hunger everywhere. I asked myself a question, what can I do for my people? Because we can’t wait for the government to do everything for us. So I decided to initiate this intervention programme knowing that people are hungry,” she said. She added that in terms of education, the NGO provides scholarships for 18 students across the University, and secondary and primary schools while supporting schools with textbooks, writing materials and others.
Similarly, she added,” The foundation aimed at expanding the outreach to rural areas with the hope of making impacts in all aspects, but it’s a gradual thing. We’re not going to do it all at once’’