While food banks could go a long way in reducing food insecurity in Nigeria, the charity mindset predominant in food assistance discourse limits its potential. Abundant research shows that investing in adequate nutrition is one of the best value-for-money development actions, but food security is neither seen as a catalyst for economic development nor a right Nigerians are entitled to.
Growing up, I would dread the week leading up to the beginning of Ramadan due to my parents’ tradition of preparing food packages to distribute to members of my extended family. Although my pre-teen mind had no doubt that this was a good thing, the time-consuming and repetitive nature of preparing these packages made it a daunting task. With the patience that comes with growing older, I have come to look forward to the month of Ramadan and its principles of compassion, community, and reflection. Perhaps my favourite manifestation of these principles is the practice where mosques and other community centres mobilize resources to provide free iftar (meal eaten during sunset) to the less privileged in society.
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