As economic hardship continues to push more Nigerians into food insecurity, the Walkiya Humanitarian Foundation on Saturday in Abuja called on the Federal Government and corporate organisations to institutionalise social responsibility initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable citizens who struggle to afford basic meals.
The call was made by Dr Dominic Egwuda, Executive Director of Walkiya Humanitarian Foundation, during the foundation’s fourth annual food outreach, where essential food items were distributed to about 500 vulnerable women drawn from different religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds.
According to Dr Egwuda, the outreach was targeted at individuals who could not afford their next meal, stressing that hunger cuts across social class.
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“Hunger has no status. It does not matter whether you are Christian or Muslim, married or widowed. Anyone who is in need meets the criteria,” he said.
Dr Egwuda explained that women were deliberately prioritised because they bear the greatest burden of household hunger, particularly in low-income families.
“When you empower a woman, you empower a nation. Food insecurity affects women first because they are responsible for feeding the family,” he said.
Beneficiaries received food items including rice, palm oil, condiments and noodles, enough to sustain households for between three days and one week.
Dr Egwuda said beneficiaries were selected through a card-based system, distributed randomly within communities, with strict exclusion of staff members, relatives and associates.
“Our staff were not allowed to bring family members or friends. These beneficiaries were selected purely based on need,” he said.
The outreach, which expanded from an initial target of 200 beneficiaries to about 500 this year, cost an estimated ₦4–₦5 million, funded solely by the Walkiya Group of Companies through its humanitarian arm.
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For Mrs Sunday Adams, a beneficiary and carer, the intervention provided immediate relief.
“My parents travelled, and it is just I and my younger ones. This food will sustain us until they return. I did not even have hope, but God did it,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Blessing Okorie, said the support restored her dignity.
“My children will eat and be happy. I will not go from house to house begging. This food will help us a lot,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs Aisha Mohammed, a widow, said the outreach eased the pressure on her household.
“I was losing hope. What I received here today will go a long way for my family,” she said.
Call for Government and Corporate Action
Dr Egwuda said that although the outreach was fully funded by the foundation, government support and private-sector collaboration are critical to expanding its impact.
“The government must create an enabling framework that encourages corporate social responsibility. Giving back should not be optional,” he said.
He also urged corporate organisations to partner with the foundation, noting that many people in need could not be reached due to limited resources.
“With more partners, we can reach more families,” he added.
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Dr Egwuda said the outreach is part of the foundation’s annual commitment to ease the burden on vulnerable households during the festive season, pledging that the initiative will continue to grow in scope.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
