FoodCo seeks public-private partnership to tackle hunger
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s public and private spheres are encouraged to participate in initiatives aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Funmi Aiyepeku, Head of Innovation, Growth, and Business Transformation at FoodCo Nigeria, emphasized in a statement that only a joint effort between the private and public sectors can alleviate the anticipated impact of hunger, projected to affect nearly 27 million Nigerians by the end of 2024. Aiyepekun reaffirmed the company’s dedication to enhancing food security in the nation while speaking during a special outreach program where FoodCo distributed food packages to residents of Idi-Ose and Ojoo communities in Ibadan, Oyo State.
She said: “The United Nations’ World Food Programme estimated that over 19 million Nigerian children faced hunger in 2023 and there are genuine concerns that the situation may escalate given the galloping inflation and depleting disposable income of the majority of people in the country.
“The reality is no individual or sector can bridge, whether within the public space or in the private sector ecosystem can effectively bridge the gap. That is why we are calling for a concerted effort from across the board to effectively combat this threat.
“As a concerned corporate citizen, we are committed to doing our bit we are committed to working alongside local stakeholders to create a future where food security is a sustainable reality for all. That is why we organised this outreach as a part of a part of our wider Corporate Social Responsibility thrust designed to cushion the effects of the current inflation on the most impacted population.
“Critically, it also aligns with the country’s quest towards attaining the United Nations Sustainability Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger, which aims to create a world free of hunger by 2030.
“In over 40 years of operations, we are privileged to have enjoyed a strong affinity with our network of host communities who continue to provide us with a peaceful and secure environment to do business.
“This relationship has been largely fostered by FoodCo’s CSR thrust which emphasises a win-win approach to community partnerships. This outreach is one of the expressions of that thrust, and we will continue to explore other high-impact channels to deepen mutuality with our communities.
“Since inception, FoodCo has been actively empowering vulnerable communities through education, skills development and access to economic opportunities as well as fostering long-term solutions through community engagement and partnerships and we intend to continue in that direction.”
