By Chris Onuoha 

The TriAfrica Empowerment Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation founded by the senior Pastor of the Trinity House, Ituah Ighodalo has taken a palliative initiative to the Alimosho area in Lagos State.

The programme tagged, “Feed a Neighbour, Feed a Nation (FanFan) food drive campaign, was carried out on Saturday April 6, at the Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, as means to alleviate the sufferings of the poor masses in Nigeria at this period of food shortage crises.

It is also to mark the birthday anniversary of Pastor Ighodalo who clocked 63 years this April, 2024. Targeted to mainly the vulnerables, the exercise saw the distribution of 500 bags of 10kg rice and other items to the residents.

Pastor Ighodalo, President of the foundation disclosed that the aim of the campaign is to alleviate hunger by distributing food to those in need.

He stated; “In the light of the prevailing crises in Nigeria, we deem it necessary to come together to address this issue through the ‘Feed a Neighbour Feed a Nation initiative,’  which operates under the umbrella of the TriAfrica Empowerment Foundation.”

Ighodalo also noted that similar exercise has been carried out in Oniru beach area of Lagos State, some parts of Abuja and in Nasarawa Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps,  adding that there is a need for leaders from the realm of politics, religion, corporations and educational institutions to emulate this gesture and exemplify values such as righteousness, integrity, transparency, and genuine concern for one another. 

“To the citizens at large,  we encourage each and every one of you to strive for orderliness,  obedience,  justice, and active participation in the political sphere and holding elected officials accountable to their promises towards building a better society. 

“Let us refrain from engaging in activities that undermine government programs and policies such as littering, driving against traffic and obstructing drainage systems. 

“Additionally,  religious leaders are urged to inspire their followers with principles of good governance and nation-building, while encouraging daily prayers for the improvements of our nation,” Ighodalo stated.

The Trinity House senior pastor also charged corporate and institution leaders to enhance their corporate social responsibility initiatives by positively impacting the communities in which they operate. He said that it is essential to ensure that these efforts are conducted without exploiting the communities as this can lead to restlessness and social disharmony. 

“The Feed a Neighbour Feed a Nation initiative is an exemplary and innovative concept that promotes the spirit of good neighbourliness,  concern and care for one another, he stated.

On her own part, Yetunde Macaulay, one of the coordinators of the palliative campaign at Ikotun said that Pastor Ituah Ighodalo is a man that is passionate about people’s lives and welfare. “We thought it wise to celebrate his birthday this way by supporting 500 less privileged families with food items,”she said, noting that he has a lot of interest in seeing people get better.

“It is his heart desire that a lot of people be fed. At this time of economic situation and food shortage crises in the country, we decided to do for 500 persons in Ikotun to alleviate the pains of the food crises. Although there are some other interventions by the foundation across the nation, but Pastor Ighodalo specifically wanted to reach out to people in Alimosho to celebrate his birthday,” Macaulay noted.