In commemoration of World Food Day and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the InnerCity Mission for Children will host a high-level roundtable discussion themed “Developing Local Humanitarian Solutions to Global Challenges” on Friday, 17th October 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Ikeja, Lagos.
The event aims to galvanize local participation from individuals, corporate entities, and civil society organizations dedicated to eradicating hunger and poverty among society’s most vulnerable.
During the event, the humanitarian agency will showcase its Food Bank in Ikeja, the first of six established in Nigeria, the UK, and the United States. Attendees will also tour its 100% free InnerCity Mission School in Ikeja, where hundreds of children benefit from quality education, free books, bags, shoes, daily nutritious school meals, and medical care each session. This school is the first among 14 fully operational 100% free schools, with an additional five currently under construction, totaling 19 schools spanning countries such as Malawi, Fiji, Liberia, Uganda, the Central African Republic, and India.
The roundtable will feature federal lawmakers, civil society leaders, institutional partners, and representatives of intergovernmental agencies such as the United Nations.
According to the NGO’s Publicity Secretary, Ms. Ijeoma Kamalu,
“Hunger and poverty are existential threats to the stability and future of any society. While governments continue refining economic policies, well-meaning individuals and organizations must rise to contribute to improving lives around them. That is how we build sustainable change.”
Founded in 2005 by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc, DSc, DD, the InnerCity Mission for Children has evolved from a single home for homeless children into a global humanitarian network, with footprints in over 109 countries: It runs 19 free schools, six physical food banks, and over 1,000 community pantries and kitchens worldwide.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the InnerCity Mission launched an emergency food relief initiative, distributing over 88 million meals globally in partnership with local governments and community networks.
In response to rising inflation and food prices, the organization scaled up its outreach with the 1 Billion Meals Campaign (2023), 5 Billion Meals Campaign (2024), and the ongoing 7 Billion Meals Campaign (2025), a bold effort to end global hunger which has recorded over 5 Billion Meals distributed globally so far, this year.
Beyond food aid, the Mission’s Women Economic Empowerment Initiative (WEEI) have uplifted over 100,000 women across Africa, helping families transition from dependence to sustainable livelihood.
This roundtable underscores the InnerCity Mission’s enduring vision, “to create a world where every child survives, lives above poverty, and becomes an active contributor to societal development. To participate in this event virtually, visit icm.ngo/livestream.
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