Osun residents upset as food scheme fails

There was serious tension in Osogbo, Osun State, on Monday. Operators of a cheap food scheme called Global Food Initiative reportedly vanished, leaving many residents who had paid for food items in a difficult situation.

The residents gathered at the organisation’s office in the Odi-Olowo area of Osogbo. They were waiting for the operators to open for business. Many had deposited money for food items at prices lower than the market rates.

A resident named Mistura told PUNCH Metro that she deposited N300,000 last Wednesday to buy 11 bags of rice at N27,000 each. Mistura explained that the items were usually ready for collection one week after payment. She added that the 11 bags of rice would have cost her N605,000 at the current market price of N55,000 per bag.

Another resident, Olamide, said she paid N1.2 million for different food items for her stepdaughter’s upcoming wedding. She said she transferred the money to a specific account in the name of Global Food Initiative with an online microfinance bank last Monday.

“I came here this morning and found a crowd waiting to be served, but the operators were nowhere in sight. I was warned about this, but I never thought they would leave so soon. The items I paid for were meant for my stepdaughter’s wedding,” she said.

“Before I paid the last N1.2 million into the scheme, I had collected two five-litre gallons of groundnut oil from the operators. I paid N30,000 for each, but they are much more expensive in the market. I am really in a tough situation,” she added.

Another investor, who wished to remain anonymous, said the scheme started about three weeks ago. The operators had told investors it would last for six months. She mentioned that panic started after a warning from a presenter on a private radio station in Osogbo on Sunday. The presenter advised residents to be careful with the scheme.

According to her, the operators initially showed up at their office on Monday but ran away after seeing the large crowd that had gathered to collect their food items. “The operators did come here on Monday, but when they saw the angry crowd, they took off. A radio presenter on a private station in Osogbo made people worried when he warned against the scheme.

“The angry crowd that came here early today made the operators run away. One woman deposited N35 million for various food items, and another man showed us a receipt for N10 million. Some troublemakers tried to break into the operators’ storeroom, but the police were called in to stop them. We are still waiting for the operators to return and continue their work,” she said.

When we reached out, Abiodun Ojelabi, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, said officers were sent to the scene to prevent any trouble. Ojelabi stated, “There have been no formal reports from those affected, but to maintain order, police officers have arrived at the scene.

“It was there we found out that a company called Global Food Initiative had been taking people’s money, promising to sell food items at lower prices if they paid in advance. We are still waiting for someone to come and provide more information about the situation. We are keeping an eye on things.”