The Ologodidan Jezi Foundation, OJF Global, has called on the Federal Government to deepen collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations as a strategic pathway to eradicating poverty across the country.
Speaking during a media engagement, Dr Rachael Ojuade, Founder of OJF Global and Global Diplomatic Peace Chairperson of OJF, made the call at a news conference in Abuja.
According to Ojuade, such collaborations with NGOs would enable the Federal Government to have direct access to vulnerable populations who often would not reach government institutions due to protocol, security barriers, and bureaucratic processes.
He said, “The government can collaborate with us once they understand that this is our mission. This is not something we started today; it’s a journey we have been on for years.
“So, the government should join us to reach out to the poor, because the poor might not be able to get to where the government is, because of protocol and security. But here, they have easy access. Nobody will stop them.
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“They have easy access to NGOs. So you can join us, collaborate with NGOs, and let us give back to society.
“We are using this medium to eradicate poverty in our country, because honestly, hunger is killing a lot of Nigerians, especially widows and single mothers.”
Ojuade explained that OJF Global works closely with widows, widowers, single mothers, unemployed graduates, homeless individuals, and people with disabilities, including the blind.
According to her, hunger and poverty are driving many Nigerians into depression and even suicide, especially among widows and single mothers who have lost their means of livelihood.
She explained that OJF Global’s approach goes beyond cash handouts, focusing on sustainable empowerment through skills acquisition, business startups, and cooperative investments, particularly targeting women.
She added that OJF Global also caters to men, including widowers who are often overlooked in social intervention programmes.
Ojuade recalled that OJF fed 5000 vulnerable people in April 2025 and would also feed 5000 people on Jan.24 at Eagle Square, alongside other activities, as a way of giving back to society.
She said the January 24th Food Bank initiative would feed 5000 people, and provide employment opportunities, among other programmes of the day.
Ojuade said that, as part of its latest empowerment drive, OJF Global had adopted a microfinance initiative called Shining Star Microfinance.
She stated that the initiative launched this year included distributing about 1,000 Point-of-Sale (POS) machines to widows, widowers, and unemployed individuals to support self-employment.
Ojuade explained that while OJF Global operated food banks to support those in immediate need, long-term empowerment remains the organisation’s core focus.
Ojuade praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address poverty, noting that greater impact could be achieved through stronger partnerships with NGOs and support from well-meaning Nigerians.
