In a world where birthdays are often celebrated by partying and gleeful celebrations, Dr. Yvonne Chioma Ofodile chose a different path, one where her special day became a beacon of hope for others.
On April 25, 2026, the Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI) had the honour of partnering with Dr. Yvonne Chioma Ofodile, Managing Director and CEO of Zetile Oil and Gas and Zetile Stores, and founder of 360 Woman Africa. She marked her birthday in a truly meaningful way by partnering through the Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to bring essential food relief and renewed hope to vulnerable widows facing food insecurity.
The outreach took place at the LFBI warehouse in Ikeja, where volunteers, staff, friends of the celebrant, and Dr. Yvonne gathered with shared purpose. The atmosphere was filled with joy and gratitude as everyone joined in, carefully packaging the food boxes with staple food items. Moments of dancing, laughter, and heartfelt connection turned the day into a beautiful celebration of service and compassion.
Dr. Michael Sunbola, Founder and Executive Director of LFBI, expressed appreciation to Dr. Yvonne for choosing to celebrate life by giving hope to those who need it most. He specially recognized and commended her decade of impact in business, the energy sector, and women’s empowerment through initiatives like the Elevate Conference, where she has awarded millions of naira in business grants. He appreciated the volunteers, both new and returning, for their selfless dedication.
In her speech, Dr. Yvonne Chioma Ofodile expressed profound gratitude to the volunteers for their unwavering commitment and selfless service. She commended the Lagos Food Bank for the excellent work they are doing, the significant impact they are making, and the strong structure they have put in place. She noted that this impact is made possible through the collective compassion and dedication of those who generously give their time, energy, and hearts to a cause greater than themselves. Dr. Ofodile reaffirmed her desire to deepen the partnership with the initiative, with a strong emphasis on women’s empowerment, stressing that empowering women is a strategic pathway to building stronger families, communities, and society at large.
For the beneficiaries, primarily widows, the food boxes represented more than nourishment. They brought relief, a sense of being seen and cared for, and renewed strength to face daily challenges. Many left with visible gratitude, their expressions reflecting the hope and dignity restored through this timely act of kindness.
This outreach beautifully reflects LFBI’s mission to combat hunger and malnutrition through targeted programs like TEFAP. Dr. Yvonne Chioma Ofodile’s choice to mark her birthday by supporting vulnerable families stands as a powerful reminder: true success and meaningful celebration lie not only in what we achieve for ourselves, but in the lives we touch and the hope we help restore in others.