Unilever empowers 7 caterers, feeds 10,500 residents 

By Damilola Kushimo

Unilever Nigeria PLC, producers of seasonings and other household consumables, has through its programme ‘Knorr Food for Good Initiative’ empowered seven caterers and fed 10,500 residents across seven wards in Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

The programme, which began last Monday, is expected to run through next Friday, feeding 300 persons daily with different meals across the seven political wards in the council area.

The Operations Manager of EasyShop Easy Cook Services Limited, the contractor handling the project, Mr. Ekpebe Mishark, explained that the palliative was meant to cushion the negative impact of Covid-19 on the vulnerable in the council area.

According to him, the programme is a palliative from Unilever Nigeria PLC through one of its products, Knorr, and it is aimed at supporting the vulnerable in the society.

He said the programme is targeted at feeding about 10,500 people in Isolo and empowering seven caterers whom the company contracted the cooking to as a form of empowerment.

While four wards – Apena, Ire Akari/Ishaga, Ilasamaja and Okota – were covered last week, Mishark said other three wards would be covered this week.

“We give the cooking to standard caterers in the locality, the caterers the people are familiar with and we inspect their meals and ensure it is up to standard.

“As we did in other local governments that have seven wards, we distributed the foods in four wards in the first week and the remaining three in the following week and that’s what we are doing here. We’ve done the programme in four other local governments, Shomolu, Alimosho, Surulere and Coker Aguda and at the completion of the current one in Isolo, we would have fed 54,000 residents and empowered 36 caterers in total.”

Appreciating the gesture, the beneficiaries said the palliative was timely, coming at the time most needed.

“I appreciate Unilever Nigeria for this kind gesture, it is coming at the right time. We pray God keep blessing the company,” Sodiq Ogunderu said.

Another beneficiary, Raji Afolami said: “We hope this project can continue, it is a laudable programme. God will continue to bless them. We are so grateful for this gesture in our community.”

One of the caterers, Mrs. Jumoke Shogbola, the CEO of Jummy Catering Services said: “This programme is a great one, I had earnestly looked forward for the contract since I was contacted and I am glad I got it. May God keep blessing the company. We really appreciate them for remembering us in our community.”