NGOs - SDGs
The long walk to a hunger-free world: A Special Report On The Free School Meal Program by FoodClique Support Initiative
Anne Frank once said that Hunger is not a problem, it is an obscenity, I couldn’t agree more. Hunger is a universal concept that has taken roots in every nation, wherever you find a lot of people, you will discover even more hungry people. When we listen to the news and hear reports of how the government or some organizations spend billions to fight hunger, we often feel a sense of sympathy for “those” who are hungry. Subconsciously, we feel it is their problem and not ours. This nonchalant attitude has become the bedrock on which the misconception of hunger is founded upon.
As opposed to popular opinion, hunger isn’t a problem for a select group of people. It may affect a particular spectrum of society directly (the poor and disadvantaged), but its long-term effect resonates in every home, city, and country in the world. If you are not hungry, there is a high chance that you may be attacked by a hungry person who has lost hope. So, you see, it’s everyman’s problem, and until we collectively make up our minds to fight it, we will remain victims of its repercussions.
The United Nations Organization has been spearheading the fight against hunger through its Food and Agriculture Organization; the annual World Food Day celebration is one of the avenues through which awareness is raised on hunger-related issues. There are over 821 million people in the world, and one in ten people suffer from chronic undernourishment. As staggering as these figures are, the world still feels relaxed in the fight against hunger. There is widespread concern about hunger in the world but what about our home? What about Nigeria?
Founded on July, 4th 2012, FoodClique Support Initiative has been the leading proponent in the fight against hunger in Nigeria. With over 1,550 volunteers, they are focused on the distribution of food items, reduction of food waste and educating the public on the problems that hunger breeds. Through strategic and sustainable community programs, they have been able to provide over 340,000 meals a feat that received commendation from within and outside the country.. One of their community programs has made an impressive impact on children; The Free School Meal Program.
When a child is hungry, he/she turns to the family unit for satisfaction, when such fulfillment is not derived from home, the child turns to the streets. The street may offer temporary solace from hunger, but that comes with negative influence. On the other hand, if the child gets relief from hunger at school, that child will be enthusiastic about learning, stay hopeful and turn away from the streets. It is with this understanding of the connection between the classroom and the child that FoodClique Support Initiative launched The Free School Meal Program in 2013 with Ansarudeen and Ebute Metta primary schools in Lagos State.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, FoodClique provides free energy-rich biscuits, nutritious drinks, noodles and milk to pupils from Nursery one to Primary two across schools. Interestingly, on Fridays, the best three pupils from each class are given a take-home ratio pack containing food items for the family as an incentive for good behavior. Five schools have benefited from this program thus far, and there have been a 13% increase in attendance in the schools and a record 100% in punctuality. With approval from the State Universal Basic Education Board in Lagos State, The Free School Meal Program compliments the efforts of diligent teachers and schools by ensuring that the average child has the best of both worlds, food, and education.
For this program to remain sustainable, it requires funding. Volunteers and kind-hearted individuals contribute their quota to making the program a successful one. This year, FoodClique has received two major grants; the first from Basheer Tosin Ashafa ( BTA Foundation) and Cantagali. While the second is from Share Your Bread Foundation, these grants made it possible for FoodClique to expand the Free School Meal Program to more schools. The collaboration with organizations such as Cantagali shows the miles we can cover on this long walk to eradicating hunger.
You may not have the capacity to feed a thousand children, but you do have the ability to feed one child. If we commit to feeding children both intellectually and physically, through the Free School Meal Program, we will be contributing our quota to the efforts made all over the world by taking kids off the street while putting smiles on their faces. We will never know what it means to be truly free as a people until we birth a hunger-free world.
For information on how you can volunteer or donate towards the Free School Meal Program, please visit
NGOs - SDGs
LEAP Africa and DOW Partner to Activate Youth Action for Sustainable Development Across Africa
LEAP Africa, one of Africa’s leading non-profit organization focused on youth leadership development and Dow, a global leader in materials science, are pleased to announce the fourth edition of its Pan-African ‘Youth Day of Service (YDoS)’ campaign, a youth-led social impact campaign with the theme – Youthful and Useful.
Scheduled to be held till August 31, 2023, Youth Day of Service is a month-long campaign that seeks to foster the spirit of service to community and volunteerism among the youth population in Africa with focus on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This campaign which is in commemoration of the International Youth Day seeks to rally young people, corporate organisations, Governments, the Private and Social sectors across Africa to advocate and renew the spirit of active youth citizenship and collective responsibility.
Speaking at the Pan-African Press Conference and Stakeholders Engagement, Kehinde Ayeni, Executive Director LEAP Africa said: “One of our strategic pillars at LEAP Africa is to raise talents for the actualization of the SDGs. This campaign is a demonstration that LEAP Africa remains committed to youth-led actions for Sustainable Development across Africa. We believe in the power, voices, numbers and agency of young people and that an urgent commitment to creatively engaging with youth, creating platforms such as this and retooling youth with the skills and support to shape SDGs implementation across the continent, is the greatest need. We cannot do this alone, therefore we are fostering partnerships to bring the achievement of the goals closer.”
In her remarks, Mumbi Keega, Public Affairs Lead-Africa, Dow, said, “Dow is committed to fostering positive change and building resilient and sustainable communities in Africa. We believe that this can only be achieved by working together with the African youth, who are vital to promoting social welfare. Through our partnership with LEAP Africa, we are supporting the Youth Day of Service (YDoS) initiative, which empowers young people to use their skills and talents to make a difference in their communities. We are proud to be a part of YDoS and to support the next generation of African leaders who are working to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.”
Chege Ngugi, Africa Regional Director of ChildFund International in his remarks called for increased investment by governments and other stakeholders in youth development programs. “While many laudable initiatives, such as national youth funds exist, there is still a dire need to do more to ensure all youth, given the huge number, are adequately resourced to achieve their best potential, no matter where they are from. We must move beyond giving the youth a seat at the table to investing in them to use that seat for good. The youth must be enabled to act as equal partners of positive social change.”
Emerging Leaders Foundation-Africa one of the implementing partners for the Youth Day of Service, represented by Caren Wakoli the Founder and Executive Director lauded LEAP Africa for investing in this initiative for the second year in Kenya. Caren noted that ELF-Africa had lined up week-long community activities across nine counties, addressing five different SDGs. She further re-affirmed ELF-Africa’s commitment to championing transformational youth action in Kenya and Africa for a sustainable future. Caren concluded by calling on young people and grassroot organisations across Kenya to join the different Youth Day of Service activities in counties near them, especially the nine counties where ELF-Africa will be working, these are Migori, Bungoma, Narok, Kericho, Uasin Gishu, Murang’a, Makueni, and Kilifi.
This year, LEAP Africa will be leveraging the support of strategic partners like ChildFund International, Emerging Leaders Foundation, BellaNaija, Forgotten Bottom Millions, Legit, Zikoko Citizen, W4 Immerse, Dotts Media, African Climate Reality Project, Strategic Youth Network for Development Ghana, Youth Development Organisation Zambia and Global Shapers Community, among others, in delivering the Youth Day of Service.
Miss Career Africa Women (Image: Supplied)
Recognizing the need to empower aspiring young female entrepreneurs in Africa, the Miss Career Africa Organization (MCA) was established. The MCA program aims to uplift young women professionals, entrepreneurs, and students by offering university scholarships, career guidance, entrepreneurship incubation, leadership training, and networking opportunities.
The Miss Career Africa competition is a transformative experience for aspiring young women entrepreneurs from across the continent. With a vision to create a movement of 450,000 young women entrepreneurs and professionals across Africa, MCA aims to empower these trailblazers to become influential leaders in their respective countries.
Each year, 20 exceptional candidates aged between 18 and 24 years are selected from hundreds of applicants based on their projects or businesses and specific criteria. These talented young women then compete for the title of “Miss Career Africa.” The journey to the crown begins with a pre-selection and online voting process. The finalists undergo a rigorous 5-day boot camp, where a team of experts helps them refine their ideas into viable and scalable business models.
The Grand Finale features a distinguished panel of judges from different countries and disciplines who will crown winners in various categories, including Miss STEM, Miss Arts and Talent, Miss Hospitality, Miss Agriculture, Miss Conservation, and Miss Speaker, as well as regional winners representing the Southern, Northern, Central, Eastern, and Western regions. Prizes for the winners include seed capital, a six-month incubation training period, and continuous guidance and follow-up support to help them turn their dreams into reality.
Meet the Visionaries
Sandrine Munezero – Executive Director of Miss Career Africa
Hail from Rwanda, Sandrine Munezero is a true innovator. As an entrepreneur, innovator, and business modeling coach, she has dedicated her life to helping the next generation create their own opportunities by harnessing their talents and gifts. Sandrine’s unwavering passion drives the growth of Miss Career Africa across the continent. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from St. Joseph’s College in India and a Bachelor’s degree from Bishop Heber College in Trichy, India.
Portia Addae Annin – Western Africa Coordinator of Miss Career Africa
Passionate about empowering girls and young women, Portia Addae Annin is a force to be reckoned with. Her exceptional motivation and commitment to excellence have led her to serve in various prestigious positions. With a Master’s Degree in Economics from Bangalore University in India and a background in Economics and Business Management from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, Portia brings a wealth of expertise to the organization.
OSNON Academy is delighted to announce its exclusive scholarship opportunity for the upcoming 2023/2024 academic year, dedicated to students from low-income families, and marginalized communities. This prestigious scholarship aims to provide the selected exceptional students with a world-class education that has the power to shape their future.
Under the “Innovation and Excellence” banner, OSNON Academy is passionately committed to nurturing young minds and unlocking their full potential. As the premier free boarding school in Anambra state, OSNON Academy is devoted to transforming talented young individuals into the leaders of tomorrow.
This scholarship opportunity is specifically tailored for parents, guardians, and school students who aspire to receive an outstanding education that paves their path to success. By applying for this scholarship, students will have the remarkable chance to benefit from OSNON Academy’s innovative and well-rounded learning experiences.
“We firmly believe in providing students from low-income families, marginalized communities, and vulnerable backgrounds with a transformative education that not only equips them with academic knowledge but also instills core values and unlocks their potential,” said Onyinye Anyaegbu, Chief Executive Officer, Chude and Ego Foundation. “Our ultimate goal is to create thought-provoking and valuable members of society who will positively contribute to their communities.”
Interested parents and guardians are encouraged to pick up the application forms for their ward(s) today at one of our designated locations to seize this incredible opportunity. These forms will be the crucial first step towards a life-changing educational journey. The dedicated team at OSNON Academy is readily available to assist with any questions and provide comprehensive guidance throughout the application process, ensuring a smooth and supportive experience.
Take advantage of the chance to join OSNON Academy and join a community fostering excellence, innovation, and personal growth for a successful future!
For Scholarship enquiries, please contact:
OSNON Academy Team: +2348063876581 or email: info@osnonacademy.org
