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By Bianca Iboma -Emefu
The Operation Feed Africa Initiative (OFA) has extended free medical services and food relief to residents of Oko Ata, a remote riverine community in Lagos State, through its flagship humanitarian programme, Project Hope 5.0.
The outreach, which took place on Saturday, December 20, 2025, targeted vulnerable households in the hard-to-reach community, accessible only by boat, and long affected by limited social infrastructure and poor access to basic services.
Speaking on the initiative, OFA’s Executive Director, Boluwatife Akinpelu, said that Project Hope 5.0 was designed to bridge critical healthcare gaps while easing food insecurity among marginalized populations, especially during the festive period.
The programme was implemented in collaboration with Larsen Advocacy, whose Bank 200 Project added social awareness and youth empowerment components to the intervention.
Residents benefitted from a range of medical services, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, dental examinations, consultations with medical doctors, and access to essential medications through an on-site pharmacy.
Akinpelu noted that the outreach enabled early detection and treatment of health conditions, as well as basic health education for community members with limited access to formal healthcare.
In addition, food packs were distributed to 50 vulnerable households to help cushion the effects of rising food prices and seasonal economic hardship.
Akinpelu explained that the initiative aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ,SDGs, notably Goal 2 Zero Hunger, Goal 3 ,Good Health and Well-being, Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities, and Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals).
Through the Bank 200 Project, Larsen Advocacy also addressed social issues such as sexual violence awareness and youth skills development, an effort that organisers said aimed to build long-term resilience within the community.
Community members expressed gratitude for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful in an area with scarce healthcare facilities and limited economic opportunities.
Organisers, however, noted that the initiative was designed to address critical gaps in healthcare access and economic support within underserved communities
Akinpelu revealed plans to expand future editions of Project Hope by improving logistics, strengthening partner communication, widening the range of medical services, and introducing follow-up mechanisms to ensure sustained impact.
OFA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting underserved communities across Nigeria, stating that Project Hope 5.0 reflects its broader mission to promote dignity, health, and food security among the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
Moreover, the Esteri Life Connection Foundation supported the initiative by providing food boxes for the community.
Additionally, project manager and food security expert Otun Islamiyah stated that the goal of the initiative is to make an impact and touch lives through their project.
Islamiyah stated, “We have plans to expand subsequent editions of Project Hope by strengthening logistics frameworks, improving collaboration with partners, increasing the scope of medical services, and introducing follow-up mechanisms to ensure sustained impact in beneficiary communities.” The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to reaching underserved populations across Nigeria, noting that Project Hope 5.0 reflects its broader mission to promote dignity, health, and food security among the country’s most vulnerable groups.
Residents of Oko Ata expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as timely and life-changing, given the absence of basic health facilities and limited economic opportunities in the area.
