Introduction

The Nigeria Hunger Index, #iAmSanta & Christmas

“Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows.”
– Edwin Osgood Grover (American Publisher and Educator)

The combination of John 3:16 and Isaiah 9: 6 – 7 are the legs on which we believe Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ stands; and these connote Love, Leadership (Servant Leadership) and Legacy.

It is on this premise, and in furtherance of Goals 1, 2, and 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with respect to Poverty, Zero Hunger, and Good Health & Well-Being that Fundacion Exito (“FundELG Africa”) initiated the annual “#iAmSanta …Be the Gift” Campaign to reach the indigent, the homeless, the widows, persons living with disabilities (PLWDs), and orphanages amongst others during the yuletide to enable them celebrate and experience the magic and love of Christmas in any little way.

Registered in 2013, FundELG Africa is a Non-Governmental Social Enterprise (NGSE) with focus on national transformation through social change, values re-orientation and trans-generational influence. Over the years, our #TheGreenCampaign intervention projects especially the #iAmSanta Campaign has supported and positively impacted at the least 39,381 people [including 1,444 families, 1,038 children and 159 National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Members].

Nigeria and the Global Hunger Index

Nigeria is ranked 98 out of 107 countries in the 2020 Global Hunger Index (GHI), revealing there is a ‘serious’ level of hunger in the country. The GHI classifies hunger scores from 35.0 to 49.9 as ‘alarming’, while scores ranging from 20.0 to 34.9 are classified as ‘serious’. Hunger scores in the range of 10.0 and 19.9 are classified as ‘moderate’, while 9.9 is categorised as ‘low’ {International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) featured news article of 20 October, 2020}. Nigeria has a score of 29.2, which is “serious and critical”.

Despite being one of the biggest producers of crude oil in the world, and also possessing large deposits of natural gas and other abundant economically viable mineral resources, Nigeria only performed better than nine other countries out of the 107 nations whose data were calculated for the 2020 GHI scores.

Further, with the global pandemic, most states in Nigeria faced a lockdown which severely impacted economic activities and livelihood. With the current lockdown this yuletide season, indigent families will be greatly impacted.

Also, since 2012, Northeastern Nigeria has faced insecurity due to conflict with armed insurgent groups. Civilians have limited access to assistance, and food remains a major need in displacement settlements. Prolonged absence of food security, among other factors, exacerbate risks to life and property. Without aid coming to them, the hunger problem in this region could be disastrous. Governments, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) and Philanthropies, etc. can help by giving out food items in their villages, local government and even the streets they live on to help reduce the hunger during yuletide season.

#iAmSanta 2020

It is against the Global Hunger Index classification 2020 that FundELG Africa, in furtherance of Goal 17 of the SDGs (Partnerships and Collaboration) decided that in the execution of its annual #iAmSanta Project, it would collaborate with the C21FG/La Buena Vida Feed the Family Project Season 3 to feed at least 50,000 families in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This was also further based on the understanding and recognition of the empowerment, ultimate health and extensive marketing network of the C21FG/La Buena Vida Project, and its capacity to reach thousands of people through its network of offices and teams across the Federation within a very short time; as this would inevitably give FundELG Africa the required reach to support more families.

On Saturday, December 19, 2020, the “#iAmSanta/La Buena Vida – Feed the Family Project Season 3” was executed across the federation, reaching over 50,000 families. The number was more than we anticipated and we had to restock when the budgeted supplies for the estimated 50,000 families ran out.

With a statistical average of at least 4 members per family (excluding the excess number of people attended), the “#iAmSanta/La Buena Vida – Feed the Family Project Season 3” provided support to at the least 234,000 people including 100,000 children, 17,000 youths and 50,000 women).

The main Federal Capital; Territory (FCT) distribution Centre was Shalom Plaza, Joseph Gomwalk Street Behind MKK Plaza/NNPC Petrol Station, Gudu Abuja, FCT – Nigeria. Media presence at the epoch making event included the NTA, BEN TV London, AriseTV, and Silverbird TV, amongst others

The Feed the family project Season 3 is about giving back to the society, and leading the way by showing others how to reach out to people in any measure no matter how small it might seem. The support provided included food items such as bags of Rice, vegetables oil, spaghetti, tomatoes, salt, beverages, and medical attention/checks.

Post Summary

On Saturday, December 19, 2020, the “#iAmSanta/La Buena Vida – Feed the Family Project Season 3” was executed across the federation, reaching over 50,000 families. The number was more than we anticipated and we had to restock when the budgeted supplies for the estimated 50,000 families ran out. With a statistical average of at least 4 members per family (excluding the excess number of people attended), the “#iAmSanta/La Buena Vida – Feed the Family Project Season 3” provided support to at the least 234,000 people including 100,000 children, 17,000 youths and 50,000 women).

We are grateful to our supporters, contributors and Global Green Ambassadors for making this possible regardless of the trying economic times. Thank you very much indeed.

As stated by Grover, in the quote above, Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows. We must all therefore strive to be the Gift every time of everyday to whomsoever, where-so-ever and howsoever required of us.

I, Mrs. Mariam Ayodele, a widow with three kids and residing at Byazhin, Kubwa Abuja; wish to thank Foundacion Exito for their support to my family during this period of Covid-19. I really don't know how to express my appreciation, but I must say, it means a lot to me and my family. Thank you for your support.
Mrs. Maryam Ayodele

Beneficiary

I, Dalhatu Umar on behalf of my family wish to express my profound appreciation for the palliatives sent to us. We received it and we are very grateful. I am short of words, I pray that Almighty Allah continue to bless the organization, strengthen and prosper every member of the organization. Thank you very much for making us a part of your Adopted family project, may Allah continue to bless the management and staff of Fundacion Exito Nig. limited. Once again, thank you so much (Mungode)!
Mr. Dalhatu Umar

Beneficiary

I write with sincere appreciation for the support and the money received from #overcoming2geda, Fundacion Exito for COVID-19 support. Thank you FUNDACION EXITO for supporting us during COVID-19. I also thank and pray that God bless your organization with more resources to reach out to more families and individuals with this good humanitarian work. I appreciate your organization for adopting my family going forward. Thanks and may God bless Fundacion Exito and #overcoovercoming2geda campaign.
Mrs. Lucy Amalibe

Beneficiary

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