In a bid to alleviate poverty and address food insecurity, a London-based non-governmental organisation, the Refuge Network International, has extended its philanthropic reach to some vulnerable people in Ikotun, Lagos State.
The organisation distributed food items such as rice, bread, noodles, among others.
RNI has touched the lives of over 400,000 individuals in the area.
The organisation, comprising a network of three distinct non-profit bodies, operates internationally as a charitable foundation, focusing on promoting socio-economic rights across various domains.
It also has its focus on food, housing, education, health, while ensuring an adequate standard of living for disadvantaged communities.
The recent distribution of food items in Ikotun has garnered heartfelt appreciation from beneficiaries like Mrs. Abibat Oyeniran, who expressed gratitude for the timely intervention of the foundation.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Oyeniran highlighted the significance of RNI’s gesture in providing relief to families grappling with economic hardships.
Founder and Executive Director of Refuge Network International, Charles Gimoh, explained why Ikotun was selected as the starting point for the organisation’s humanitarian initiatives.
“The reason why we chose Ikotun is that a large percentage of people reside on this axis. So, we felt it is an ideal place to start from,” Gimoh stated.
He further outlined the organisation’s expansion plans, indicating a phased approach to extend assistance to other parts of Lagos and eventually across Nigeria.
Gimoh emphasised that RNI’s operations in Ikotun marked the beginning of a seasonal aid programme, with intentions to progressively reach more communities.
“We are starting now, and hopefully in the next four months, we will move to somewhere like Agege. With time, we will extend to other parts of Lagos, and then wider content of Nigeria,” he stressed.
Gimoh highlighted the widespread economic difficulties not only in Nigeria but also in many developed countries, including the UK, where over eight million people were struggling to afford food.