Foundation donates food to 500 women in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

Walkiya Humanitarian Foundation has stepped in to provide relief for vulnerable residents of the Federal Capital Territory, distributing food items to 500 women in the Jikwoyi area of Karu, Abuja.

The outreach, which took place on Saturday, formed part of the foundation’s annual humanitarian intervention aimed at cushioning the effects of rising food costs and helping households struggling to meet basic nutritional needs.

Addressing beneficiaries at the event, the Executive Director of the foundation, Dr. Dominic Egwuda, explained that the initiative was designed to reach individuals facing immediate food insecurity, particularly women who often shoulder the responsibility of feeding their families.

He explained that the food distribution exercise is part of the corporate social responsibility of the Walkiya Group of Companies, implemented through the Walkiya Humanitarian Foundation to support vulnerable citizens amid economic hardship.

He said: “This is a part of our social corporate responsibility of Walkiya Group of Company, which we operate under the umbrella of Walkiya Humanitarian Foundation.”

Egwuda stressed that beneficiaries were carefully selected across religious, ethnic and social lines, with the sole criterion being the inability to afford basic meals, in order to ensure inclusiveness and fairness.

“We needed people who cannot afford their next meal,people we have carefully selected from all cross of lives, Christian, Muslim, different tribes.”

He noted that women were prioritised because they bear the greatest burden of hunger within families, adding that empowering women directly has a wider societal impact.

“A woman is the one that bears the brunt of hunger in the family. And in doing this, if you empower a woman, you empower a nation.”

Egwuda further explained that the programme follows a transparent card-based selection process, excludes staff and their relatives, and is fully funded by the Walkiya Group of Companies, without government sponsorship.

“I don’t think any of our staff have anybody here because we stopped them ,we are not in partnership with any government. It is a welfare group of company that sponsored this program.”

He called on government to prioritise the welfare of the less privileged and to create an enabling framework that encourages more corporate organisations to invest in social responsibility initiatives.

“The government should look into the less privileged, create an enabling environment for people to do more social corporate responsibility.”

Egwuda disclosed that the food distribution exercise, which took about six months of planning and expanded from an initial target of 200 beneficiaries to 500, was valued at approximately four to five million naira.

“Estimatingly, we spent about four to five million naira to make sure that this thing goes round.”

Some of the beneficiaries described the gesture as timely and impactful. Janet Kalu said the food items would provide much-needed support for her household, especially during the festive period.

“This support came at the right time for my family, especially now that prices of food items are very high. The food we received will really help us during this festive period,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Amaka Emmanuel, expressed appreciation to the foundation, noting that the assistance would reduce the burden of providing daily meals for her family.

“I am very grateful to the foundation for this kind gesture. The food items will go a long way in supporting my family and easing our daily struggles,” she said.

She also offered prayers for the donors, asking for divine reward and replenishment of their resources.

“May God Almighty bless the people who made this possible and replenish whatever they have spent. I pray that God will reward them abundantly,” she added.

The foundation, in a message to stakeholders, called on government and the private sector to strengthen collaboration in addressing hunger and social welfare challenges.

“With stronger partnerships between government and corporate organisations, we can reach more vulnerable people and significantly reduce hunger and hardship in our communities,” the foundation stated.

Foundation donates food to 500 women in Abuja