NGO CEO Urges Tinubu, Oborevwori to Adopt Food Bank Model to Combat Hunger

Amid rising food prices and widespread difficulty among Nigerians to access nutritious meals, Barry A. Eboma, CEO of the Hope Alive Food Bank Initiative, has called on President Bola Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to incorporate food banks into Nigeria’s national strategy against hunger.

Eboma, whose organization has been actively providing food assistance to vulnerable communities as Delta State’s leading non-profit food bank, emphasized that global experience shows food banks are an effective, sustainable solution to food insecurity.

A cross section of Happy Learners and future leaders at Obodo community

He urged Nigeria to fully embrace this model to make meaningful progress.

“No country can prosper when its people are hungry. Food security isn’t just an economic issue; it’s a moral obligation,” Eboma stated.

“Food banks are not just charity; they serve as a vital link—gathering donations from individuals and corporations, reducing waste, and ensuring food reaches those in need.”

Already packed nutritious food and caprisone juice ready for presentation to primary school learners at Obodo community in Warri South

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, is facing an escalating food crisis, with recent reports from the National Bureau of Statistics indicating that food inflation has soared to historic levels, making basic foods unaffordable for many households. Experts warn that unless targeted actions are taken, malnutrition, especially among children, could increase significantly.

Eboma believes that collaboration among government entities, private sector players, and civil society is crucial.

“The government alone cannot solve this. Corporate and individual contributions are essential. With supportive policies like tax breaks for donors, food banks can become integral to Nigeria’s food security framework,” he said.

The Hope Alive Food Bank Initiative was established to combat hunger and malnutrition, and has implemented various programs such as:

– School feeding schemes providing nutritious meals to children in rural areas,
– Family farming initiatives to empower households to produce their own food and generate income,
– Emergency food aid distributions to support vulnerable families during critical times.

Feeding the future generations of Leaders one nutritious meal at a time

Recently, on World Food Day in October 2024, the organization collaborated with Lions Clubs International to feed 150 schoolchildren in Obodo community, Warri. They also launched the “Holiday Hope Hamper” program to assist families during festive seasons.

A cross section of our partners, members of the Lions International assisting with the presentation of food packs to primary school learners at Obodo community

Cross section of volunteers assisting with the serving and packaging of food

Eboma noted that transparency, accountability, and community involvement have proven that food banks can complement government efforts and deliver tangible results.

He urged both the federal and Delta State governments to recognize food banks as part of their official food security strategies, offering incentives like tax benefits and establishing legal frameworks to encourage corporate donations.

Furthermore, he called for partnerships with NGOs to expand food redistribution networks and for grassroots community participation in food programs.

While increasing agricultural output remains important, Eboma stressed that ensuring food reaches consumers is a bigger challenge. “We need to make sure that food produced actually gets to Nigerians’ tables—that’s where food banks play a key role,” he said.

With political resolve and collective effort, Eboma believes Nigeria can substantially reduce hunger and malnutrition by 2030.

“It’s achievable,” he affirmed. “Through compassion, strategic alliances, and sustainable approaches, we can build a hunger-free Nigeria.”

Eboma committed to ongoing collaboration with government, businesses, and communities to realize this vision of ending hunger across the nation.