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Seasoned Journalist, Wale Fatade Eulogize CAPPA Africa Leader

Earlier today Wale Fatade on his Facebook page announces the birth of CAPPA Africa, the finicky writer and editor tell us more about his relationship with Akinbode Oluwafemi and the new born CAPPA

Yesterday, my friend of almost three decades, Akinbode Oluwafemi, took a bold step. Not one to be afraid, but dithering over the years on what some of us believed should be the next logical step of his career in social justice is another example of why he is Bode. Always putting the interest of others before his, he romanticises self-immolation so much that ‘others first’ remains his mantra. I mean how many people could turn down job offers with two international NGOs just to continue bringing succour to poor and marginalised people?

But he broke free. He decided to chart a new course. Together with his team, he started Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) not Cappa and D’ Alberto, a new level in social justice movement not just in Nigeria, but in Africa as well.

Formed in the classical furnace of students’ movement of the mid -1980s to early 1990s at the University of Ilorin, Bode continued on the path with a career in journalism. But his heart was set on social justice, fighting for the rights of the oppressed and equitable distribution of resources for all.

It was Bode who will first go and volunteer his time and intellect at NGOs offices early in the morning before resuming at his desk in the afternoon since he was on the sub desk. While some of us limited our involvement in the fight against Abacha to our stories as journalists, my friend was part of the underground movement in the battle against dictatorship with other Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) members. My path and Bode’s first crossed at The Guardian newspapers in 1996 and he used to envy us while we travelled across Nigeria. Now I don’t know the country my friend has not been to, he is one person the appellation ‘widely travelled’ fits so well.

He, however, could not continue with us as the pull became more serious. He resigned in 1999 to join the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of The Earth Nigeria. I remember some of our colleagues, especially seniors, who thought he was crazy. Guardian was the place to be then, but I knew if anybody could make a success of activism, my friend is one. And he has not disappointed. The day I knew he has made it was when I interviewed him for a story to mark World No Tobacco Day in 2000. I quoted the Irele Ekiti man in a story? That was it and there has been no looking back since then.

Of course his signature crusade was getting a tobacco control bill passed into law which he did together with other advocates. He was also involved in Our Water, Our Rights movement with others, practically forcing the Lagos Government to rescind its decision to criminalise the informal water sector.

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) works to advance human rights, challenge corporate abuse of our natural resources and build community power for inclusive development and participatory governance. A Pan – African organisation devoted to working with African communities to build partnerships with them towards taking collective social action towards the promotion and defence of the rights of peoples. It challenges the abuse of our natural resources, our environment and our people through corporate and state policies and practices.

CAPPA’s goal is Africa that is free of injustices and inequalities caused by corporations and unfair state structures.

Whistleblower Accuse AGF Malami of Exploiting $1 Billion NPA Secret Account Money

Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has been accused by a whistleblower, John Okpurhe, of refusing to pay him the reward after exposing over $1 billion government money hidden in Unity Bank Plc.

In a letter dated June 22, 2020, written to President Muhammadu Buhari by his lawyer, Aliyu Lemu, the whistleblower said the account was secretly being operated by the Nigerian Ports Authority to illegally collect revenue from vessels.

He said upon discovery, he informed the Office of the AGF in line with the whistleblower policy of the secret account and an agreement was signed.

The agreement stated that Okpurhe would be entitled to a reward if the information provided turned out credible.

The whistleblower said after playing his own part, the AGF’s office began to play games.

The letter read in part: “Pursuant to the whistleblower policy of the Federal Government, our client approached the Office of the AGF with confidential information in respect of hidden public funds concealed within a commercial bank in Lagos contrary to the Treasury Single Account policy which requires all public revenue or funds to be domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Our client presented the Office of the AGF with qualifying information on a cloned account with the Nigerian Ports Authority which was being used to illegally collect revenue from vessels by the signatories who are no longer in the service of the NPA.

“Upon establishing that our client’s information qualified under the whistleblower policy, the Office of the AGF signed a whistleblower agreement with our client through his appointed counsel- Mamman, Maiyaki & CO.

“The information provided by our client eventually led to the exposure of the hidden/concealed funds in Unity Bank Plc to the tune of $1, 034, 515, 000 (One billion, thirty four million, five hundred and fifteen thousand dollars only).”

The whistleblower said the Office of the AGF had been making flimsy excuses as to why the reward was not paid.

He said the Head of Asset Management and Recovery Unit, Ladidi Mohammed, informed him that the matter was in court and the plans had changed.

He added: “On the next day, one Ms. Bunmi who deputizes for Mrs. Mohammed, called our client and asked him to come alone without a lawyer. Upon arrival, she informed our client that there was no pending matter in court on the account.”

The whistleblower said he was told that because the money involved was huge, the Office of the AGF recommended a private firm with which he should enter into a contract to help him get the funds.

The whistleblower said upon the insistence of the AGF’s office, he was made to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the company to forfeit 60 per cent of his reward.

He said in a dramatic twist, his lawyer was attacked by armed policemen in his office who robbed him and made away with the original copy of the agreement signed with the AGF.

Okpurhe called on the President to quickly intervene as failure to pay him could compromise the whistleblower policy and affect public trust in the government.

Captain Okunbo: His Only Sin! By Ahmed Olusile

The conception, birth and ministry of Jesus Christ were nothing shrouded in secrecy. Long before each of the phases in the life of God’s only son, His father had announced them and true to the prophecies, they all came to pass one after the other.

But why did you think He was also crucified? The answer is not far fetched: because he fulfilled his destiny as prophesied long before his coming. That was His only sin. Besides, as the Bible records, it was also to fulfill all righteousness.

Pause a moment and spare a thought for some of the undeserving attacks on the person of one of Edo State’s billionaires and philanthropists, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, and ask yourself: why is Captain Hosa, as many are wont to call him, suddenly an issue in the state’s body polity?

Curiously, his only sin is that Captain Okunbo remains one of the few incorruptible billionaires, who started making money some 30 years ago, with a consistent lifestyle, steeped in hard work, affluence, generosity, philanthropy, sympathy and the fear of God.

Now, let’s get it straight. As simple as all these may sound, they do not come easy. Operating in an environment, where sleaze, manipulation and official corruption are a norm, it’s hard to find individuals, who are better than the system that raised and produced them.

This is where Captain Okunbo is different and incidentally, it is also the reason his traducers have remained unrelenting in their fruitless efforts to dig up what is tawdry, smelly and non- existent, just to smear him, especially, their penchant for linking him with what he’s never had business with.

But for a man, who isn’t just doing things right but has also found favour before God and a majority of men as well as his people of Edo, the traducers of this rare creature would have to try harder to bring down a man, meticulously sculpted by God for a specific assignment on earth.

A pride of his people and sincere patriot by all standards, the good people of Edo, today, are proud to have one of God’s uncommon creatures amongst them. Humble, self-effacing and not by any stroke of imagination conceited, it is curious to know why his haters have refused to admit that Captain Hosa has paid his dues to deserve his current station in any human rating.

Not only are his businesses legitimate, he has been conscientious and consistent over the years, the result of which is his ever increasing wealth, the larger chunk of which he has also dedicated to improving humanity and healing the world.

It is simple logic, of course, that anyone, who has continuously maintained the same decent lifestyle for so long a time, out of outright hard work and God’s given providence, should be respected by his people, and at the same time adore the grace of God upon his life, especially, for having attracted some of the most prestigious recognitions both at home and abroad.

Without rejoicing at the misfortune of others, it goes without saying that many others had fallen off the ladder of success after a few years of joining the class of the rich.

This is also why Captain Okunbo cannot be described as rich but a wealthy man,
because he has been able to reach out to his people and those around him through his philanthropy.

Why then should anyone go to the gutters with such a man, who had said times with out number that he should be left out of Edo politics?

Well, hopefully they don’t finally get to drag him into the arena, where of course, he would do nothing but further display his goodwill amongst his people.

Although a fighter, he engages only in reasonable battles.

Suffice it to say, however, that it is not by sheer happenstance that the lines are constantly falling in the right places for him; it is instructive to mention for the record, that his dedication, transparency, sincerity with family, friends, colleagues and partners as well as reckoning the GOD FACTOR have combined to bring him this far.

Therefore, if Captain Okunbo’s only sin is that he is clean and unapologetically so, it is okay to let the failures continue with their journey on the highway to nowhere. It would not in anyway diminish what God began in his life over 30 years ago.

For a man, who is a rarity amongst the ‘characters’ that currently populate Nigeria’s social unit, wisdom and common sense celebrate such a fellow and not to continue to try effortlessly to destroy his hard earned reputation.

But, hey, here’s a note to Captain Hosa: don’t stop the sin of a decent and enviable lifestyle. It distinguishes you, sir!
*Olusile wrote from Abuja

Igbos Condemn Malicious attack on Lagos Ohanaeze president

A group of Igbos in Lagos State has lambasted some disgruntled elements spreading false allegations about the present progressive president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna.

According to some of them who don’t want their names in print, these set of people are just bent on causing distractions on the unity and progress enjoyed currently by the Igbos under the present Ohanaeze leadership of Chief Ogbonna in the state.

Reacting on the issue, Chief CDC Ezenekwe described them as mischievous and selfish people who are just envious of the achievements of the present Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership, stating that in a short period of time under Chief Solomon Ogbonna, the good people of Igbo in Lagos State has enjoyed concrete cordiality and relationship with the state government.

Even Igbos and non Igbos has benefitted several assistance and support from the Ohaneze leadership which includes the taking care of widows and less privileged. His government has given the Igbos edge in Lagos State promoting their respect and success in the state. This has forced these fake news peddlers to be churning out malicious stories about the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo. He urged all Igbos to join hands together in order to achieve a common goal in promoting peace and unity among themselves.

Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire Cleared of N23Bn SDGs Money

The National assembly through the House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has cleared Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) of Financial Impropriety.

In a statement signed the Chairman of the House Committee on SDGs, Mr Rotimi Agunsoye, he declared it was untrue that the office of the OSSAP-SDGs was appropriated N33 billion in the 2020 budget assented by President Buhari.
The statement reads; “The attention of the House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been drawn to a publication by The Nation Newspaper, with the headline ” 2020 Budget: Row over N33b SDGs’ vote” stating that the sum of N33 billion was included in the allocation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the 2020 Budget without details being provided to the National Assembly and consequently direct the Ministry of Finance to stop release of allocation to the SDGs office .

In setting the records straight, The House Committee on SDGs hereby state that a correspondence was sent to the Finance Ministry in respect the subject matter, upon which clarification was sought from the SDGs office without any indictment on the person or the office of the SSA-SDGs, indicating misappropriation of the 2020 budgetary allocation of her office.

The House Committee on SDGs got records from the OSSAP-SDGs and Appropriation committee which shows the said additional 33 billion was not appropriated for SDGs office among provisions of the 2020 budget earlier assented by Mr. President upon which we all know the prevalence of Covid-19 distorted implementation of entire 2020 budget.

The legislature is determined to ensure adequate oversight of all appropriated for the implementation of SDGs programmes in all ministries and agencies of government as well captured, as soon as we get adequate correspondence from the House appropriation committee to further ascertain fund release in order to guide our oversight activities. Hence, the recent official correspondence from both Senate and House SDGs committees to the finance ministry to release the budget provisions of OSSAP-SDGs so as to enable our committee to oversight accordingly.

This clarification became imperative to avoid any misrepresentation of the earlier correspondence between the National Assembly Committees on SDGs and Finance Ministry as any financial indictment on the person and office of the OSSAP-SDGs.”

Also responding to the fake report, of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) funds allocated and released to the office have been judiciously utilized for intended purposes.

The statement reads in part; “Indeed, Staff of OSSAP-SDGs read the report with disbelief as the amount allegedly stolen was more than the total amount released to the office by the government.

It is also pertinent to state that it is completely the prerogative and responsibility of the parent ministry or agency of every civil servant to redeploy any of their staff seconded to any Ministry, Department or Agency in line with Service rules and it is therefore misrepresentation of fact for anyone to interpret this as an ‘attempt to cover up.’

We also like to point out that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in demonstration of its commitment to the war against corruption has put adequate safeguards in place to ensure that funds can only be withdrawn from government’s coffers for approved purposes.

The public is therefore advised to disregard any of such reports as they are designed to malign the office.

The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs is committed to the fight against corruption and will not bow to pressure and distractions in the onerous task of achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.

ONDO 2020: Chief Bukola Adetula’s Preparedness

Gentlemanly, suave, highly cerebral are words that best describes Chief Adebukola Adetula, a man who has been destined for greatness since his formative years. Those who are close to him, will attest to the fact that; he is an angel in human form. If there is one thing he loathes so much, that will be the sight of his fellow human in distress, he is always ready to render assistance at all times.

Adetula is well grounded politically, most especially at the grassroot level, with his knowledge of the Ondo political terrain laced with his career exposure across the world. He is hell bent on making Ondo a better place for his people by placing it high in all ramifications among other state in the country. Junior Adetula, is indeed a chip of the old block, as his late father, Chief ZOK Adetula, popularly known as ZOKA was one of the foremost political leaders of the progressive family in Ondo State, whom under his watch, Bukola learnt the rudiments of politics before throwing his hat in the ring to contest gubernatorial in 2016.

ZOKA was a contemporary of Pa Adekunle Ajasin, former Executive Governor of Ondo State and a protege of the late sage and former premier of the defunct Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. His father popularly called ZOKA, represented Owo constituency at the Federal House of Representatives between 1979 and 1983 before military Government took over power.

This is a clear indication that the Owo Born politician is born ready for the herculean task ahead with his “Credible Alternative Mandate”, as he jostle with the incumbent Governor Arakurin Akeredolu at the forth coming primary election. He is the favourites of many political elites and grassroots politician, whom have vowed to repay his kind gestures and goodwill for the state with a vote at the primary election to help him secure the ticket as the Gubernatorial candidate of the APC.

Ever since he announced his candidacy by throwing his hat in the ring once again, he has created a frenzy of excitement at the grassroots level. The U.S trained Criminal lawyer, formed a strong affiliation with the Unity Forum, under the leadership of Alhaji Ali Olanusi, a former Deputy Governor and serving Board of Trustees member of the APC. His influence has growed and fluttered across Ondo state like wild fire. Both the young and old are patiently waiting to have him as the parties flagbearer at the primariy election. They are all aware that ,he will bring hope and succour by restore the lost glory of Ondo State within a little space of time.

Political pundits in Ondo State avered that; “This years primaries election is not going to be an easy ride for Arakurin Rotimi Akeredolu like it was in 2016. Adetula has an edge over him because of his family pedigree at Owo. If you can remember vividly in 2016, Akeredolu and Adetula participated at the exercise that led to Akeredolu’s emergence as Governor. This time around, there are factors we can’t take away between the duo. They are both from Owo Kingdom, both are lawyers and are contesting under same party, APC.

This is a clear indication that the ring is open but Adetula has done his underground work and has gathered the support of the masses across Ondo with a tour to all the local government areas.”

Apart from his political resume, his personal career resume is quite an intimidating one. Bukola Adetula is a successful international businessman, who has his hands across many pies of business chains across the world like; Oil & Gas, Media, Law and Training.
He attended the prestigious Government College, Ibadan and thereafter travelled to the United States of America from where he received B.Sc. (Criminal Justice); B.A. & M.A. (Political Science) and a Juris Doctor (J.D) in Law, degrees.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu Agrees with Prophet T.B. Joshua on Church Re-opening

The governor of Lagos state, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu has maintained that churches and mosques in Lagos state remain closed despite the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari had lifted the ban on religious organisations in the new directives to battle covid-19.

This is coming after the founder of SCOAN, Prophet TB Joshua said his church will not open till God asks him to , even after the ban has been lifted on religious organization.

It will be right to say Governor Sanwoolu, having thought about the welfare of lagosians, and the possible repercussion of opening churches at this time, concur with the prophetic message of Prophet TB Joshua too.

The prophet when delivering the message of not opening his church made it known that God gave him the revelation three times that the church will be closed and that he is also waiting for the same God to tell him when to open it.

He therefore urged listeners to join him on Emmanuel TV as he awaits God’s instruction.

‘’ Viewers, don’t forget there was a revelation three times concerning the church closing.

Viewers, that same God, we are waiting to hear from on when to reopen – when things will go back to normal – as usual. God’s time is the best. We are waiting at His feet for that time. We are tarrying for the Holy Spirit’s instruction. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Meet us as usual on Emmanuel TV until we hear from God when to reopen, the same God who gave us the prophecy three times about the church closing. It is God’s work, not our work. Here, our thanks go to the authorities for understanding. Jesus is Lord!

Olugbo Visits Jimoh Ibrahim, inspects ongoing construction at his Fortune University

His Imperial Majesty, Paramount ruler and prescribed authority, Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Frederick Enitiolorunda Obateru Akinruntan, CON, paid a scheduled visit to billionaire business mogul and politician, Barr. (Dr.) Jimoh Ibrahim (CFR) at his country home, Igbotako in Okitipupa Local government area of Ondo State.
Oba Akinruntan was accompanied by his High Chiefs on the visit.

The first class monarch and Chairman, Ondo state council of Obas, also used the opportunity to inspect ongoing works at the site of the University of Fortune, the pet project of Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim is currently embarking on, which would open up the serene and agrarian Igbotako community to unprecedented infrastructural development.

At the palatial residence of Ibrahim, Oba Akinruntan congratulated him for deeming it fit to bring closer to his people such a noble and laudable project as a university of higher learning, adding that when people are knowledgeable they have been saved from the agony of illiteracy which berths poverty and lack. “There is need for our people to become knowledgeable about their history and culture. We need to correct some wrong impression about skewed history of Yoruba Land. This has prompted me to write a book about the proper place of Ugbo in Yoruba connectivity, which propagandists had attempted to sweep under the carpet.”

While presenting his books to Ibrahim, Oba Akinruntan said Ugbo people to all intent and purpose are the owners of Ife as the reign of Obamakin Ugbomokun preceded the arrival of Oduduwa at Ile Ife, adding that it takes a fair and Correct knowledge of traditional history of Yoruba Land and culture to unravel this sacred fact.

At the inspection of the University, Oba Akinruntan patted Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim at the back for the thoughtful project, stating that; Ibrahim is investing huge capital not just in mere edifices or cash crow business this time round, but in a citadel of learning that will put Igbotako and Ikale Land and even the entire Ondo state on the world map.

In his reaction, Barr. Ibrahim thanked the royal father for the August visit, maintaining that he felt highly honoured by the visit of such an eminent royal father of international repute. Jimoh Ibrahim who has his hand tied across many pies of business chain ranging from; finance, hospitality and real estate consortia among others, told his guest that the University of Fortune at its completion shall attract the best hands in the world of academics. He said; “The university shall produce graduates that will have not just a paper certificate but quality potentials that will make them problem solvers and educated people that will impact very positively on the economy of Nigeria.”

Develop Homegrown Solutions, Human Capacity and Invest in Agriculture to Rebuild Africa; Experts say at UBA Africa Day Conversations

Prioritise SMEs Development
Advocate Partnerships between Private Sector and Government

African thought leaders and great minds have noted that the development of homegrown solutions and adequate investment in human capacity building and agricultural expansion are key steps that will help to rebuild Africa and put the continent on a stronger footing post Covid-19.

Analysing the theme ‘Domestic Policies, Regional Development and a Global Agenda: SDGs and African Development at Crossroads; the speakers collectively gave this submission during the second panel session of the 2020 edition of United Bank for Africa (UBA) African Day Conversations.

The virtual session, which was moderated by Veteran Journalist and Media Consultant, Eugenia Abu, was made up of thought leaders from across Africa, including the Regional CEO, UBA West Africa, Abiola Bawuah (Ghana); Senior Program Coordinator, Regional Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes, Dr Nalishebo Meebelo (Zambia); Leadership Coach and Chairman, Go Ahead Africa Ltd, Roland Kwemain (Cameroon); Founder and Executive Director, Social Change Factory, Sobel Aziz Ngom (Senegal); Special Assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Digital and New Media, Tolu Ogunlesi (Nigeria); and Social Entrepreneur and Founder, LEAP Africa, Ndidi Nwuneli (Nigeria).

Abiola Bauwah who emphasised how Africa should rely less on foreign donors, said, “There are five areas we should work on more for us to reach the SDG goals; the private sector; rapid industrialization; institutions and the rule of law; develop our human capital; remove the barriers across Africa. We should institute Africapitalism which is an economic philosophy that says that the human and capital resources of Africa are the only ways in which we can develop Africa.”

Nalishebo Meebelo noted that there’s a lot that young people can do along the value chain of manufacturing, transporting, technology and marketing, adding that, “Government cannot do it alone, they need to work with other stakeholders. Cut and paste solutions do not work for us here in Africa, we need to have our own homegrown solutions to fight this pandemic.”

Eugenia Abu, who focused on the huge role that women and youth must play in rebuilding the continent, said that Africa had to work together to provide solutions to its numerous challenges. “Women, entrepreneurial champions, young people and collaborations between African countries are very key to developing Africa,” she stated.

Ndidi Nwuneli who was saddened that the agricultural sector remained hugely untapped, emphasised the need for a change of mindset where people usually equated agriculture to poverty. “This is a $1 trillion industry and we are neglecting it; therefore my charge to you is that we invest in the agricultural sector, prioritize it, leverage it, transform our educational system to prepare our young people for this sector, change the mindset and trade with each other,” she explained.

Sobel Aziz Ngom pointed out the need for the youth to take charge in Africa. “It is time to not just serve young people, but to trust them to lead. The challenge that we have at the domestic and continental level is making the change in our structure and in the political system that give the place to young people to be 100% engaged,” Ngom stated.

In his own submission, Tolu Ogunlesi, said, “All over the countries young people are seizing opportunities, and we need to start thinking about how to make sure that this is not just for the age of COVID but for now and beyond COVID-19. Even if the pandemic was to disappear today, I hope that the lessons we’re learning, we’re not going to forget them and go back to where we used to be.”

For Roland Kwemain, more institutions need to tow the line of UBA in events such as UBA Africa Conversations. “If 100 multinationals in Africa were doing that UBA is doing, we would go far because CSR is an amazing leverage not just for the brand but also for supporting people & women in terms of activities. The truth is that we need partnership between the government, corporates and the civil society,” he said.

The United Bank for Africa is a leading pan-African financial institution offering banking services to more than twenty million customers globally. With footprint in 20 African countries and presence globally in the United Kingdom, the USA and France, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

COVID-19: PepsiCo, FoodClique to Give One Million Meals to the Vulnerable

PepsiCo Nigeria has unveiled its one million meals initiative hashtag #GiveMealsGiveHope to feed vulnerable communities amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Enabled by the PepsiCo Foundation, the meals will be packaged and distributed by FoodClique Support Initiative, an NGO with proven reputation in fighting hunger, identifying the most vulnerable communities through their volunteer network and working with community leaders.

PepsiCo’s Sergio Paya, General Manager Sub-Saharan Africa Beverages said, “We launched the Give Meals, Give Hope program to meet the basic needs of the most impacted segments of the Nigerian population, as food is at the heart of what PepsiCo does. As one of the leading food and beverages companies in Nigeria and across the African continent, we believe that we have a responsibility to focus on providing essential food items to those affected by this pandemic.”

FoodClique’s Founder and CEO, Bolajoko Fadipe explains, “We are at the forefront of the fight against hunger in Nigeria. The current pandemic has exacerbated the need to provide food across the country. Through our #GiveMealsGiveHope partnership with PepsiCo, we will organize food boxes and leverage on our network to distribute to those who need support the most.”

The #GiveMealsGiveHope relief initiative is part of a US$45 million global initiative launched by PepsiCo and The PepsiCo Foundation, focused on helping people and communities most affected by this devastating virus.

The company is funding vital support including protective gear for healthcare workers, testing and screening services, and is already in the process of distributing more than 50 million nutritious meals to at-risk populations by supporting Food Banks and other partners around the world.