FUNAAB VC Welcomes ACFBI, Commends Food Support Initiative for Students

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has welcomed the African Campus Food Bank Initiative (ACFBI) to the University, describing its food support programme as a timely intervention capable of addressing food insecurity among students.

Prof. Kehinde stated this while receiving representatives of the Foundation on campus, noting that the initiative had come at a critical period when many students were experiencing economic difficulties.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to the Foundation for selecting FUNAAB as one of the universities where it would operate, describing the initiative as “very heartwarming” and a response to an important need among students.

He noted that many students were currently facing challenges with food sufficiency and that the intervention would provide meaningful support.

Prof. Kehinde prayed for continued blessings and provision for the Foundation and its partners, while expressing hope that the programme would be sustained to enable more students to benefit from the initiative.

He, however, urged the Foundation, its coordinators and volunteers to adequately plan for possible challenges associated with food distribution, particularly crowd management, orderliness and ensuring that the food items reach students who genuinely need the assistance.

The Vice-Chancellor also cautioned against possible abuse of the programme, noting that some individuals might attempt to take advantage of the initiative at the expense of students genuinely in need.

He therefore called on the coordinators and volunteers to continually educate beneficiaries on the purpose of the programme and the need to ensure equitable distribution.

Prof. Kehinde said the ACFBI intervention would complement the University’s existing efforts to support student welfare, assuring the Foundation of FUNAAB’s cooperation.

He expressed optimism that beneficiaries would remember the assistance received during their student years and, in future, extend similar support to others when they attain positions of influence.

Speaking on behalf of the Founder/Executive Director of ACFBI, Mr. Philip Soladoye, the Co-Founder and Director of Strategy, Mr. Temitope Abolarin, said the initiative was established on the principle that no student should have to choose between a meal and academic materials.

He said ACFBI operates across Nigerian universities to provide students in need with adequate nutrition to support their academic success.

He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and the University for welcoming the initiative, disclosing that the food bank would commence operations from the available space on campus and expand its activities as the need arises.

He added that the programme was designed to provide food assistance to students in need while contributing to their welfare and overall academic experience at FUNAAB.

Also present at the event was the Director of Operations, ACFBI, Dr. Azeez Yusuf.

Food items to kick-start the programme on the FUNAAB campus were subsequently presented to the University.