The TGI Cares Foundation, whose objectives promote food security by supporting appropriate education, championing social interventions, and providing relief in times of disaster, partnered with FoodClique Support Initiative, a leading NGO dedicated to eradicating hunger, for the outreach to cushion the worrying effects of the current economic hardships on Nigerians.

Rafiat Gawat, TGI Group’s head of Corporate Communications, stated,

“We recognize the profound impact of hunger on our communities, particularly in view of the cost-of-living crisis ravaging the world currently. Our commitment is unwavering in providing meaningful support to those at risk. As an organization, we will continue to play our part in eradicating hunger and supporting our communities.”

The CEO of FoodClique Support Initiative, Ibrahim Onilegbale, added,

“Our longstanding partnership with TGI Cares Foundation has always been about more than just providing food. Together, we have consistently worked to combat hunger and create sustainable solutions for a more secure future for many Nigerians.”

Following food donations during the pandemic, the foundation intensified efforts in achieving its objectives.

As part of its mandate to support education as a tool to engender food security, the foundation made a donation of laptops and pocket MiFi through Jigawa iLearn Scholars, to several students as they commenced their BSc, MSc and MBA programs at prestigious Indian universities under the e-VBAB Network Project among other things.

More recently, the foundation collaborated with the Cosmopolitan Women’s Club (CWC) by supporting the CWC Food Bank Project with monthly food donations.

This partnership exemplifies a shared commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment.

The TGI Cares Foundation and FoodClique partnership have not only addressed the immediate effects of the economic crisis but also laid a foundation for long-term community resilience and sustainability.

This partnership aligns with global objectives, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The approvals were made under the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) project, which was initiated in 2018.

The SFTAS project was designed to strengthen transparency and accountability at the sub-national level and ended in 2022.

However, the implementation of the projects is still ongoing according to a document obtained from the bank.

According to this report, a total of $1.5bn was committed to the project in two batches of $750m (December 2018 and December 2020) by the World Bank.

Although the money is a grant to state governments, it is a loan to the Federal Government. A copy of the procurement plan for the project covering a period from February 2019 to August 2020.

The procurement plan is in line with the World Bank’s Procurement Guidelines which establish the arrangements to be made for procuring the goods and works (including related services) required for a project.

According to the procurement plan for the SFTAS project for the period disclosed by the World Bank, the Home Finance Department received $25,713 to acquire office stationery and supplies.

It also got another $39,357, up from the N33,000 initially requested for additional office equipment and supplies for the SFTAS Programme Coordinating Unit.

For the furniture items, the department got $64,190 for furnishing and equipping SFTAS Public Service Institute space; $14,842 for additional office furniture and partitioning of the STFAS office, as well as $19,368 up from $17,250 for additional office equipment and furniture for the Debt Management Office.

The department also received $24,038 for the procurement of video conferencing equipment for the SFTAS PCU and MiFi modems for the DMO.