Hawker who gave prisoners snacks in traffic rewarded by Rite Foods

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a popular brand in sausage rolls and beverage drinks, Rite Foods Nigeria Limited, has elevated Ugochukwu Ibere, from a hawker to a shop owner, for rendering selfless service to prisoners in Lagos.

Ibere, 27-year-old indigene of Ebonyi State, became an instant social media sensation last year when his story went viral for donating all his wares to prisoners, who were stuck in traffic on their way to court.

For his selfless act, he was at the weekend rewarded with a branded Rite Foods Store at No. 181, Bamgbose Street, Lagos Island, furnished with deep freezer, generating set, ceiling fans, stabilizer, 100 cartons of Bigi and Rite sausage rolls, 100 cases of its Bigi beverages and Fearless Energy Drinks among other items. The company also paid rent of two years with effect from March 2019 to 2021.

Speaking at Rite Boy Shop opening ceremony, the firm’s Regional Sales Manager, Joseph Adesewo, who represented the Managing Director, Seleem Adegunwa, said the firm was honouring one of its sausage hawkers, who out of his selfless service, was identified by a good Nigerian.

Ibere was spotted around Marina by a banker and lawyer, Adenike Ajitena, while giving Rite Foods sausage rolls to hungry prisoners who begged him for food. Ajitena, who witnessed the event, circulated it on social media. Thereafter, he was located by Rite Foods and reward for the gesture.

Receiving the gift, Ibere, whose joy knew no bounds, thanked Rite Foods for the gesture. He promised to utilise the opportunity wisely, and continue to render selfless service to others.

Ajitena, while narrating her encounter with Ibere said: “That day, I saw him running back and forth in traffic, pushing Rite Foods sausage rolls between some vents of a prisoner’s van. I watched him run beside the moving van to give the sausage rolls to the prisoners free of charge. I was so impressed by his act of kindness and called him to ask why he did that.

“Ibere told me that he did that because he felt the prisoners were in a bad condition and were hungry. I took his picture and put it on Facebook.”

Ajitena advised Nigerians to continue in the act of human kindness as their good acts will always be rewarded. “Your good act will always come back to you. Karma will pay you. It is better to open your heart to anyone in any situation. Assist people when you can and leave the rest to God.”