The Real Acts of Kindness (RAK) Foundation has distributed food items to 250 indigents and widows in Badagry.
The items were received from Victim Support Fund (VSF) to cushion the effect of COVID-19 lockdown.
The Founder of RAK foundation, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende disclosed this on Saturday during the courtesy visit of VSF Covid-19 Taskforce Chairperson, Mrs Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji in Badagry on Saturday.
Ogunlende said that the foundation spent five days within the town distributing the food intervention to widows, indigents and vulnerables.
He assured the residents of Badagry that the NGO would collaborate with more Private Public Partnership (PPP) to enhance a better livelihood and development
Ogunlende said that VSF COVID-19 Food Relief Packages distribution exercise had been very effective and transparent.
“I am one of the 10 NGOs that was selected to help distribute the VSF COVID-19 Intervention, coincidentally our NGO is based here in Badagry.
“We were selected based on merit, integrity, transparency and accountability.
The NGO went through a rigorous screening to be selected and we scale through.
“The 250 food items given to us consisted of Rice 10kg, Beans 10Kg, Garri in 10Kg, Salt in 2Kg, Vegetable oil in 4 litres, each were packed in 50kg bag.
“Distributing the items, 90 bags were were distributed in Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) 50 bags in Badagry West LCDA and 50 bags were distributed in Badagry Local Government.
“The NGO also distributed 39 bags in the riverine communities from Ojo to Badagry while the remaining 21 bags were given to selected widows within the city,” Ogunlende said.
He said that the relief packages were given to the poor, helpless and indigents who were in dire need of the items, adding that they were given report cards to record the data of beneficiaries for accountability.
According to him, the exercise has been challenging because everyone is hungry and everyone expects to get a pack but the reality is that you cannot feed everyone
Ogunlende commended the VSF taskforce for their timely intervention at a critical time, adding that people are hungry and helpless.
”For us at RAK Foundation, the VSF COVID-19 Food Relief Distribution is an opportunity to take charge and show the world that we are capable of doing it right.
“We appreciate the trust VSF have in us because this is another rare privilege and opportunity for RAK Foundation to serve humanity more,” he said.
Ogunlende said that his NGO had recently donated hand sanitisers, liquid soaps and parcels of assorted food items to 3,000 households in Badagry to cushion effects of COVID-19 lockdown on April 9.
In her remarks, the VSF Covid-19 Taskforce Chairperson, Mrs Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji said that the team had watched the foundation and its activities at the grassroot with apt attention and impressed by their level of commitment and performance.
Mrs Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji said VSF food intervention is first of its kind in Nigeria to be a national emergency intervention program, its a One Billion Naira Intervention.
“We started in June 2014 to provide for victims of terrorism and insurgency, Specifically along north east.
“However, Badagry in Lagos is not a terror zone, but Covid 19 is not selective about locations in the country.
“As far as this organisation is concern it is our duty to respond speedily to ensure that we reduce the negative effect, trauma, difficulties and challenges that the citizens across the country faces as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19,” she said.
She assured that more goodies would begin to flow into Badagry especially with RAK Foundation’s commitment and transparency.
Akerele-Ogunsiji who was an alumni of Kankon Model College in Badagry encouraged the Badagry Women Development Forum led by Mrs Sewede Pot-Balogun to remain consistent and focused in her campaign for women emancipation and involvement in leadership.
Meanwhile, Sewede while receiving the VSF Chairperson at 02 Jetty in Badagry during a 15mins talk with executives of Badagry Women Development Forum requested for her support especially as a border area in subsequent women related programs.
“We won’t mind you organizing training programs, empowerment, symposium etc. for the purpose of bringing women in Badagry together” Sewede said.
She urged wealthy Badagrians within and outside Badagry to come back home and invest and affect life positively. ‘Don’t get lost in your comfort. She advised.
Mrs Hannah Azon, one of the beneficiaries thanked VSF for their food support and timely response.
According to her, this year makes it 20 years and two weeks that I lost my husband.
“I am deeply happy for this gift of love, this is unprecedented and I will continue to appreciate the donors. God bless you all” she said.
Also, Mrs Juliana Ogungbe said the VSF food relief was a surprise package.
” I can’t believe my eyes that a group of private individuals can come to present this food to me at my door step among millions of Nigerians.” She said.
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