In April 2024, the BNO Foundation launched a comprehensive food outreach programme, distributing 1,000 food boxes to vulnerable communities across Elegushi, Catholic Church of the Divine Mercy in Lekki, and Makoko. Each box contained dry foods tailored to sustain a family of four for several weeks. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to combat food insecurity and provide relief to families grappling with Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Before the existence of Gaudium Medicals in November, 2020 residents of the village went through a lot of difficulty accessing a decent diagnostic center. The only available or nearest diagnostic center was 25km away from Aba-ode with the roads being dilapidated making the journey for those requiring diagnostic services cumbersome and exhausting.
Consequently, Gaudium with the help of BNO foundation was able to raise over 20 million naira which was used to secure a permanent site for Gaudium Medicals and also procure some ultra-modern machines, reagents and consumables to provide prompt and quality medical laboratory services to the people of the area.
With over 220 million people, Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and the sixth in the world. It is the tenth-largest producer of crude oil in the world and achieved lower-middle-income status in 2014.
Nigeria faces a severe food crisis, exacerbated by rising inflation, unemployment, and the lingering effects of global economic instability. According to recent statistics:
Population: Approximately 50,000 residents.
Demographics: A mix of middle-income families and low-income earners, with pockets of extreme poverty.
Economic Situation: While Elegushi is known for its affluence, rising living costs have left many families struggling to meet basic needs.
Population: Serves a community of over 10,000 parishioners and surrounding residents.
Demographics: Primarily low-income families, including single-parent households and elderly individuals.
Economic Situation: Lekki’s rapid urbanization has created economic disparities, with many residents unable to afford adequate food.
Population: Over 100,000 residents, one of Lagos’ largest informal settlements.
Demographics: Predominantly low-income families living in extreme poverty, with limited access to education, healthcare, and sanitation.
Economic Situation: Makoko is a symbol of Nigeria’s urban poverty, with most residents relying on informal jobs and earning less than $2 a day.
• Packed Cell Volume (PCV)
• Total White Blood Cell count
• Platelet Count
• Differential Count
• Reticulocytes Counts
• Retroviral Screening RVS
• HIV test
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• VDRL (Syphilis)
Food insecurity remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, with millions of families at risk of malnutrition and hunger. Programmes like the BNO Foundation’s food outreach are not just about providing meals; they are about restoring dignity, fostering hope, and building resilient communities. However, sustained efforts are needed to address the root causes of food insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, and inadequate social infrastructure.
The BNO Foundation remains committed to expanding its outreach programmes, leveraging partnerships, and advocating for systemic change to ensure no family goes to bed hungry. Together, we can create a future where every Nigerian has access to nutritious food and the opportunity to thrive.