Ifedolapo Feyikemi Peters, the brain behind Paramount Food by Fadaka, has built a reputation as one of the most sought-after food vendors in Lagos and Ogun State. Her culinary expertise and commitment to delivering quality meals have made her a household name. However, her recent experience serving in the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ogun State opened her eyes to an even deeper appreciation of her profession.
As a graduate of English Language from Tai Solarin University of Education, Ifedolapo (fondly called Miss Fadaka) has always balanced her academic journey with her passion for food. But it wasn’t until she stepped into the camp kitchen that she fully realized the magnitude of the impact a well-organized catering system can have.
The NYSC Kitchen Experience
“It wasn’t easy at all working with the cooks at the NYSC Orientation Camp o,” Miss Fadaka shared. “But I actually enjoyed every bit of it.”
On one of her kitchen duty days, she helped prepare and serve meals for over 2,000 corps members and 500 camp officials:
• Breakfast: Bread and butter with hot tea.
• Lunch: Jollof rice with cow meat.
• Dinner: Eba with ogbolo/egusi soup.
In total, the kitchen served 7,500 meals in just one day. “I couldn’t believe it when I realized the scale of what we were doing,” she said.
This experience gave her a unique perspective on the immense logistics and teamwork required to feed a large group of people. For someone deeply rooted in the food business, it was both a challenge and a revelation.
A Lesson in Purpose
The experience sparked a profound realization for Miss Fadaka: food isn’t just about satisfying hunger; it’s about creating systems that work efficiently to meet people’s needs.
“As someone in the catering business, I thought I understood the value of food, but NYSC made me see it differently,” she explained. “It’s about teamwork, strategy, and the ability to serve with excellence, no matter the scale.”
She also marveled at how the NYSC program feeds 252,000 youths nationwide daily, a feat she found both inspiring and humbling.
From Camp to Career
This newfound perspective has deepened her commitment to her food business. Miss Fadaka realized that, like the NYSC kitchen, her brand, Paramount Food by Fadaka, has a role to play in creating experiences that leave lasting impressions.
“Whether I’m serving one person or thousands, the goal remains the same: quality, satisfaction, and value,” she said.
Appreciating the Value of Professions
For Miss Fadaka, her time in the NYSC kitchen wasn’t just about feeding people; it was about seeing the beauty and importance of every profession.
“I used to think catering was just about cooking and delivering meals,” she admitted. “But this experience made me realize it’s much more. It’s a way to connect with people, solve problems, and leave an impact.”
She encourages young Nigerians to take pride in their work, no matter the field. “There’s value in every profession,” she said. “We all have a role to play in building a better nation.”
A Call to Action
Reflecting on her experience, Miss Fadaka urged her peers to move beyond entitlement and focus on making meaningful contributions to society.
“Stop waiting for others to change your circumstances,” she said. “Be the person who adds value, whether through your profession, your ideas, or your actions.”
Reflections on NYSC and Patriotism
Miss Fadaka credited her father for explaining the essence of NYSC to her, inspired by the vision of General Yakubu Gowon. While acknowledging that the program has faced criticism over the years, she shared her newfound respect for its impact.
“Yes, NYSC has lost its core essence over the years, but for this that I have seen, we can’t afford to stop praying for Nigeria!”
A Call to Action: Beyond Entitlement
In addition to her reflections, Miss Fadaka highlighted a critical issue among Nigerian youth—the “entitlement mentality.”
“We must move beyond always expecting from Nigeria and focus on what we can contribute to its growth,” she urged. “Let Nigerians also be able to thank you for the contributions you make towards our nation.”
The Future of Paramount Food by Fadaka
With her NYSC experience under her belt, Miss Fadaka is more determined than ever to grow her food brand. She’s inspired to take lessons from the camp kitchen—teamwork, efficiency, and large-scale operations—and apply them to her business to serve her customers better.
As she puts it, “Food is life, and being able to share that with people is a blessing I don’t take lightly.”
Miss Fadaka’s journey reminds us all that sometimes, the most unexpected experiences can reveal the true value of our work and inspire us to reach even greater heights.
Miss Fadaka concluded her experience with gratitude and hope, encouraging readers to join her in saying:
“God bless Nigeria!”
