Flamestar Empowerment Initiative (FEI), a non-governmental organisation focused on social development and humanitarian intervention, has successfully organised the second edition of its food outreach programme aimed at addressing food insecurity among vulnerable residents of Lagos State.
The outreach, themed “Feed Lagos 1,000,” was held on December 19, 2025, at the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Building in Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos and at JMJ Quarters in Ajegunle Lagos.. The programme witnessed the distribution of food packs containing essential items to more than 1,000 beneficiaries, as part of efforts to support low-income households during the year-end festive season.
Organisers of the initiative explained that Feed Lagos 1,000 was conceived in response to the growing challenge of food insecurity, which has been exacerbated by rising living costs and economic pressures across the country. They noted that many families find it increasingly difficult to meet basic nutritional needs, particularly during festive periods when household expenses often rise.
According to the organisers, the outreach was driven by the belief that collective action and community-based support can help reduce hunger, hardship, and social vulnerability.
Speaking at the event, Ololade Yahaya said the initiative was born out of the organisers’ observation that many people resort to begging during the Christmas season due to economic hardship. He added that Flamestar Empowerment Initiative deliberately chose the festive period as an opportunity to give back to the community and provide relief to those in need.
Yahaya, who is one of the trustees of Flamestar Empowerment Initiative, noted that the organisation intends to scale up the programme in the coming years, having successfully supported 1,000 families again this year.
“Last year, we gave food items to 1,000 families, and this year, we have done the same. Going forward, we hope to do much more, possibly reaching up to 100,000 people next year,” he said. “This initiative is about helping communities rise above poverty. When you feed a family, you reduce hardship and even help prevent crime. That is the goal of Flamestar Empowerment Initiative.”
Yahaya also revealed plans to expand the organisation’s humanitarian focus beyond food distribution, announcing that FEI intends to launch a cancer awareness programme in the first quarter of next year, including free screening services, in response to the increasing rate of breast cancer in the country.
Reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, another trustee of Flamestar Empowerment Initiative, Oluwatosin Lewis, described the 2025 edition of Feed Lagos 1,000 as an improvement on the maiden edition, noting that the organisers were better prepared.
“Last year, we held an event at Mende, Lagos and also visited two military cantonments. This year, we are here in Ifako-Ijaiye, and we are also heading to Ajegunle to replicate what we have done here. Our goal is to reach as many parts of Lagos as possible,” she said.
Lewis explained that the organisation places strong emphasis on crowd control and safety, which is why it carefully selects venues with halls and gated compounds to ensure orderliness during distributions. She added that the philosophy of Flamestar Empowerment Initiative centres on restoring hope to communities, especially at a time when economic hardship has caused many people to lose faith.
She further disclosed that, beyond Feed Lagos 1,000, the organisation also runs other empowerment programmes, including initiatives focused on supporting children’s education. According to her, the long-term vision is to grow the organisation to a point where multiple empowerment programmes can be executed simultaneously during festive seasons.
On her part, Yejide Owootomo, another trustee of the organization stated that Flamestar Empowerment Initiative is driven by a strong desire to give back to society, particularly in view of the growing number of people struggling with hunger.
“Regardless of the level of support we receive, we will continue to give back and empower people,” she said. “From here, we are moving to Ajegunle, then to a military cantonment, and we will also be distributing food items to officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), from Obanikoro Bus Stop to Anthony Bus Stop.”
Beneficiaries of the outreach included elderly residents, widows, and low-income earners from Ifako-Ijaiye and surrounding communities. Many expressed appreciation to the organisation, describing the intervention as timely and impactful amid prevailing economic challenges.
One of the beneficiaries, Babatunde Asorobi, commended Flamestar Empowerment Initiative for bringing people together to support the less privileged. He described the initiative as rare, noting that it is uncommon to see organisations prioritising the welfare of the downtrodden at such a time.
Asorobi added that if private individuals and organisations could come together to support members of the public, government institutions should also do more to fulfil promises made to citizens. He praised Flamestar Empowerment Initiative for its contribution to social cohesion and immediate relief for struggling households.
“This kind of initiative goes a long way in addressing hunger at the grassroots level. We encourage more organisations and individuals to support similar causes,” he said.
Feed Lagos 1,000 forms part of Flamestar Empowerment Initiative’s broader mission to empower communities through sustainable interventions in education, health advocacy, and economic support. The organisation has indicated plans to expand the programme to other parts of Lagos State and beyond, while calling on corporate bodies, philanthropists, and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with it in scaling its impact.
