The MATAN Food Bank Foundation is set to commence the pilot phase of its national food security programme in six states, the organisation’s Group National President, Dr. Olakunle Johnson, has announced.
Johnson disclosed this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the inauguration of the Rivers State Executive Council of the MATAN Food Bank Professional Association of Nigeria Multi-Stakeholders Joint Alliance.
He said Rivers State was selected as one of the pilot states because of the commitment and support demonstrated by members of the MATAN network in the state.
Johnson, who is also the founder of the 21 Pillars of ATDGSS and Joint Stakeholders Alliance, called on Nigerians to contribute to society regardless of their political or official positions.
He urged citizens to take practical steps towards addressing hunger and other social challenges rather than waiting until they occupy public office.
“Let the food revolution start now. It is not time for protest; take action. You do not need to wait until you become a local government chairman, governor or even president before contributing your quota to society,” he said.
According to him, MATAN has since 2011 developed initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s food value chain, covering areas such as warehousing, distribution, transportation and food education.
Johnson also disclosed that the organisation recently presented a proposal to the National Assembly for the establishment of private institutions that would provide breakfast and lunch to schoolchildren.
He said the proposed initiative was intended to improve school attendance and nutrition while helping to address some of the social problems associated with poverty and food insecurity.
He said MATAN’s proposed Private Partnership Food Security Service would play a role in implementing the programme.
The National Coordinator of the MATAN Community Compound Food and Nutrition Revolution Initiatives, Alhaji Abba Aminu Imam, said the organisation remained committed to ensuring that no Nigerian went to bed hungry.
He said the initiative would aggregate agricultural produce from farms and move the products to food production hubs for processing and distribution through designated off-takers.
The Group National Vice President for the South-South Zone and host of the Rivers State flag-off programme, Pastor Steve Archibong, expressed appreciation for the initiative and pledged the region’s support for efforts to address hunger.
He said stakeholders across the South-South would collaborate to strengthen food security and improve access to food in the region.
Also speaking, the National Group Vice President, South-West, Chief Mrs Atonila J. Omoyemi Petra, urged members of the newly inaugurated Rivers State executive council to work with existing networks within the MATAN ecosystem.
She said greater collaboration among stakeholders would be necessary to achieve the organisation’s food security objectives.
The National Coordinator of the Community Street Food and Nutrition Feeding Foundation, Dr. Wealth Chuwkukah Martins, said his organisation would serve as a key distribution point in the food chain.
He said the foundation would coordinate the distribution of food to communities through central and community kitchens, while also managing transportation and delivery systems.
Martins said beneficiaries of the programme would be categorised and issued identification cards under three classifications: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of METS/MATAN Mobility, Hon. Mrs Adeniji Remilekun Grace JP, identified inadequate charging infrastructure as one of the major challenges facing the proposed electric transportation component of the initiative.
She said the success of the e-transportation model would require increased availability of charging stations, improved electricity supply and greater adoption of electric vehicles.
The Deputy Commander General, Manpower and Statistics, Nigeria Forest Security Service, National Headquarters, and National Coordinator of the National Agricultural Workers Health and Protection Initiative, Amb. Stephen A. O. Paul, stressed the importance of protecting workers across the agricultural value chain.
He said the success of the initiative would ultimately be measured by its impact on farmers, agricultural workers, food transporters, warehouse workers and communities whose livelihoods depend on agriculture.
The National Coordinator of the MATAN Pan-Africa Nutrition and Food Health Lab, Chief Mrs Mariam Shonibare Apakala, called for greater consumption of locally produced foods.
She said many locally available foods could provide essential nutrients when consumed as part of a balanced diet and prepared under proper hygiene conditions.
Apakala also urged Nigerians to reduce excessive consumption of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats, while encouraging parents to teach children healthy eating habits.
She said promoting nutritious local foods would contribute to healthier families and communities while supporting domestic farmers.
The Chairman of the Rivers State Projects Steering Committee, Pastor Godwin Okere, welcomed the commencement of the programme in the state and described it as an important milestone.
Okere pledged the committee’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving food security and expanding access to nutritious food across Rivers State.
The inauguration marked the formal commencement of MATAN’s expanded food security activities in Rivers State as the organisation prepares to roll out the pilot programme in six states.
