Mr Remi Oseni, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, has unveiled a food bank initiative and the Remi Oseni Foundation aimed at supporting vulnerable groups in Oyo State. The initiative, launched on Saturday, is designed to address food insecurity and poverty while promoting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises social protection and inclusive economic growth as pillars of national development.
Speaking at the event, Oseni emphasised the need for collective action to tackle the country’s challenges, particularly in the area of food security. He noted that the foundation would provide staple food items such as rice, beans, garri, and other essentials to vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, widows, and orphans. The initiative is expected to expand to other parts of the constituency, with a focus on rural communities where poverty and hunger are most prevalent.
Oseni explained that the food bank initiative complements a previous grant scheme. “About four weeks ago, we gave a grant of about N100 million to our people. The set of people that benefited from that grant were purely politicians. I understand that the majority of people in our communities, particularly the elderly, those in churches and mosques, widows, the less privileged, orphans and the physically challenged, do not have the capacity to access such support,” he said. “So, that’s why I decided to set up another scheme where I will be able to provide food items to this set of people to support them in their journey of life.”
The lawmaker underscored the centrality of food security to overall well-being, stating that while not everyone has access to cash, food is a universal necessity. “Everybody will not have access to money, but everybody needs food. I believe that once hunger is out of our challenge, every other thing is simple,” he said.
The foundation’s coordinator, Mrs Tolulope Ojelabi, said beneficiaries were selected after thorough verification to ensure the items reach those in genuine need. She described the project as non-partisan, focused squarely on meeting the needs of the less privileged at the grassroots. “We want people to reap the dividends of democracy, especially in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. We want it to reach the people at the grassroots. So, we decided to go to the communities, street by street, to identify ordinary people who will directly benefit from this initiative,” she said.
The launch event was attended by APC members, community leaders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders. One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Rasidat Ibiwumi, said the initiative would significantly help in addressing poverty and hunger among vulnerable groups at the grassroots.
From a policy perspective, the initiative reflects a broader recognition among elected officials that legislative representation increasingly encompasses direct social intervention. While the primary functions of a legislator include lawmaking and oversight, constituency projects and targeted welfare programmes have become prominent features of representation in Nigeria. The food bank model—providing regular, structured support rather than one-off distributions—offers a more sustainable approach to addressing immediate needs while building community resilience.
The emphasis on rural communities is significant given the spatial distribution of poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria. Rural areas typically face higher rates of multidimensional poverty, limited access to markets, and greater vulnerability to agricultural shocks. Interventions that reach these communities can complement federal and state government social protection programmes, which often face implementation challenges at the local level.
The initiative also highlights the role of the private sector and non-governmental organisations in complementing public efforts. While the foundation is established by a public official, its operations rely on structures that can mobilise resources, verify beneficiaries, and deliver services in ways that government bureaucracies sometimes struggle to achieve. For donors and development partners interested in supporting food security interventions, such partnerships with community-based organisations and legislative foundations can offer effective delivery channels.
As food inflation and economic pressures continue to affect household purchasing power across Nigeria, initiatives like the Remi Oseni Foundation may provide a template for other representatives seeking to address constituent needs. The success of the programme will depend on transparent management, consistent funding, and effective targeting to ensure that the most vulnerable populations are reached.
