Lions International, Multiple District 404, Nigeria, has urged the Federal Government to strengthen the implementation of food security policies to tackle hunger and improve access to nutritious food.
Mr Kola Oyekanmi, a Past Council Chairperson of the organisation, made the call at a news conference ahead of a food distribution outreach on Friday in Lagos.
Oyekanmi said Nigeria had sufficient policies but needed effective implementation to achieve the desired results.
He said the organisation was targeting about 1,000 beneficiaries through its outreach across Lagos metropolis.
Similarly, Mrs Adetope Tychus, Board Appointee to the International Board of Directors of Lions Clubs International, called for stronger partnerships to address hunger and malnutrition.
She urged Nigeria to participate in hunger-alleviation initiatives involving Lions International and the World Food Programme.
Also, the Multiple District Council Chairperson, Mr Adekunle Adedipe, said tackling hunger required collective action by donors, volunteers and local and international partners.
Adedipe noted that adequate food production did not automatically guarantee access to sufficient and nutritious food.
The Chairperson of the organisation’s World Food Day 2026 Committee, Mr Lamidi Tajudeen, said that the outreach was aimed at easing the burden on struggling families and improving children’s nutrition.
Mr Adelaja Adeleye, Immediate Past District Governor of Lions Clubs International, District 404B3, Nigeria, said the programme targeted about 1,000 beneficiaries with food packs containing rice, garri, beans and other items.
Adeleye said the organisation conducted community needs assessments before deciding on its interventions.
He said residents of the community deserved opportunities and support, rather than being defined by their circumstances.
He also urged Lions clubs to establish sustainable community programmes alongside immediate humanitarian assistance.
“The event was held to mark World Food Day on Oct. 16, with the theme, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”.
A beneficiary, Miss Baikis Abdulkareem, from Gombe State, said the food donation would support her family for about three days.
She said her father worked as a commercial motorcycle operator.
Another beneficiary, Mr Ibiam Orji, said seven people lived in his household and that his mother catered for the family.
He appealed for assistance in securing employment to improve his family’s living conditions.
Mrs Jumoke Oyedele, another beneficiary, called for support for people seeking to establish or sustain small businesses.
She expressed appreciation for the donation, noting that many people struggled to provide their next meal.
Oyedele also appealed for empowerment opportunities for those interested in trading at Lagos Island market.
The guest speaker, Mr Dapo Olakulehin, a retired General Manager of the Lagos State Coconut Development Authority, said food insecurity went beyond agricultural production.
Olakulehin identified inadequate transportation, storage, packaging and distribution as factors that increased food costs and limited access to available produce.
He urged young people to apply their skills and technology to address challenges across the food supply chain, particularly logistics, storage and access to market information.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach took place at Okobaba, Ebute-Metta, where food packs containing rice, beans, garri and other essentials were distributed.
Meals were also provided for pupils at a primary school.
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