BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Cornerstone Insurance Plc Foundation has sponsored the Lagos Food Bank Initiative,(LFBI) School Feeding Programme as part of its Valentine’s Day outreach, aimed at sharing love and support with children in underserved communities.
The initiative benefited three schools in Agege, Lagos: De Royal School Papa Ashafa; Al-Huda School Papa Ashafa; and Debby Frank School, Morikaz.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Mr. Stephen Alangbo, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable communities. He was represented by Mrs. Cordelia Ekeocha, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications.
Ekeocha said the initiative was driven by the need to address the growing challenge of food poverty among children, noting that millions of Nigerian children—particularly those under the age of five—face hunger each year.
“Charity begins at home. This is the season of love, and we decided to come back this year to show love to the children. In our little way, feeding them gives us the opportunity to share our blessings. Even if it is for a day, we are glad they have something to eat,” she said.
She added that the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts demonstrate that insurance is not just about selling policies, but also about giving back to society.
“It’s not just about buying insurance. We give back in different ways and collaborate with various organisations. We partnered with the Food Bank last year and decided to return this year. For us, this is something we want to continue and expand annually. A little act of love can make a big difference in someone’s life,” she said.
Ekeocha further stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling poverty, explaining that partnering with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative made it easier to reach schools and children in need through its established network.
She also expressed appreciation to the volunteers for their dedication to ensuring that children from low-income families have access to nutritious meals and renewed hope.
Michael Sunbola, Executive Director of the Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI), has highlighted the impact of the organisation’s school feeding programme across Lagos State.
According to him, the initiative, which forms part of a broader global school feeding effort, is designed to improve children’s cognitive development, boost school attendance and enhance their level of concentration in class.
“This programme is spread across Lagos. Through consistent feeding, we have seen improvements in the children’s cognitive development, their attendance in school and their concentration levels. Proper nutrition helps them stay in class and build a better future,” he said.
Sunbola explained that the programme runs multiple times each month in participating schools, stressing that its success depends largely on the consistent support of corporate partners and individual donors.
He commended Cornerstone Insurance Plc for its sustained commitment, noting that consistency in corporate social responsibility initiatives demonstrates that a company is not solely profit-driven but also genuinely invested in community development.
“The fact that they show up consistently shows that giving back is a top priority for them. They are not just about making profit; they are concerned about supporting vulnerable populations and carrying people along. That is a strong core value,” he said.
Sunbola urged other corporate organisations to emulate such efforts by showing up consistently and collaborating with credible non-profits to address the growing hardship in communities.
“These are challenging times. The best way to grow and nourish our communities is through collaboration. By working together, we can bring relief and help ease the plight of vulnerable populations. That is how we make our world a better place,” he added.
