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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
As food prices continue to rise and millions of Nigerians struggle to access nutritious meals, the president and chief executive officer of the Hope Alive Food Bank Initiative, Barry A. Eboma, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to adopt food banks as a strategic partner in the nation’s fight against hunger.
Eboma, whose organization has been at the forefront of feeding vulnerable communities as the premier non profit food bank in Delta State, told journalists that food banks provide a tested and sustainable model of tackling food insecurity across the world, and Nigeria must embrace it fully if lasting progress is to be made.
“No nation can thrive when her people go hungry. Food security is not just an economic necessity; it is a moral responsibility.
“Food banks are not a handout system; they are a bridge — collecting donations from individuals and corporate organizations, preventing waste, and ensuring food gets to the people who need it most”, Eboma said.
Nigeria is currently grappling with a worsening food crisis. The National Bureau of Statistics recently reported that food inflation hit record levels, pushing basic staples beyond the reach of many households. Experts warn that without deliberate interventions, malnutrition rates among children could rise sharply in the coming years.
According to Eboma, the solution lies in partnerships that cut across government, the private sector, and civil society.
“The government cannot do it alone. Corporates and individuals must be part of the solution. With the right policies, including tax incentives for donors, food banks can be integrated into Nigeria’s food security architecture,” he said
Founded to address the twin challenges of hunger and malnutrition, the Hope Alive Food Bank Initiative has rolled out several programs in recent years.
Some of the programs that have embarked upon include: “School feeding projects, where hundreds of children in rural communities receive free, nutritious meals.
“Family farming programmes, designed to empower households to grow food for consumption and income and emergency food aid distribution, where vulnerable households with essential food items were reached out to during critical periods.
In October 2024, the organization marked World Food Day by feeding 150 schoolchildren in Obodo community, Warri, in collaboration with Lions Clubs International. It has also launched initiatives such as the “Holiday Hope Hamper” program to support families during festive seasons.
“We have shown that with transparency, accountability, and community-driven engagement, food banks can complement government’s efforts and make a measurable impact,” Eboma explained.
The Hope Alive CEO is urging both the Federal Government and the Delta State Government to take concrete steps, including recognizing food banks as part of official food security strategy, providing tax incentives and legal frameworks to encourage corporate donations.
He, also called for partnership with NGOs to scale up food redistribution networks, and mobilizing communities to participate in grassroots food programs.
Eboma emphasized that while boosting agricultural production is important, accessibility remains a bigger challenge. “We must ensure that food produced actually reaches the tables of ordinary Nigerians. That is where food banks come in”.
He believes that with political will and collective action, Nigeria can significantly reduce hunger and malnutrition by 2030.
“It is possible. With consistent acts of compassion, strategic partnerships, and sustainable solutions, we can secure a better future for our people.”
He pledged to continue working with government, corporates, and communities in advancing the vision of a hunger-free Nigeria.
