…Set To Banish Illiteracy, Criminality, Banditry With School Feeding Concept
Advancing the course for food security in Nigeria, the Leader of Nigeria Food Revolution Amb. Dr. Olakunle Johnson the Visioneer and Group National President of MATAN Food Bank Foundation have declared poise to kickstart the pilot phase of its national food security scheme in six states of the federation.
Jonhson who also the founder of 21 Pillars of ATDGSS + Joint Stakeholders Alliance made the declaration at the official flag-off of the MATAN Food Bank Professional Association of Nigeria Multi-Stakeholders Joint Alliance/Inauguration of Rivers State executive Council on Tuesday in Port Harcourt Rivers state.
According to him, the pilot scheme of the food security programme was scheduled to take place in six states, comprising of a state from each zone, as Rivers state made the list owing to the commitment and ready-to-go attitude of the MATAN family in the state.
The MATAN boss, earlier in his speech, charged Nigerians not to wait till the time they occupy public office before making an impact.
“Let the food revolution start now, it is not time for protest take action, you don’t need to wait till when you become a local government chairman, a state Governor or even President of the country before you contribute your quota to the society.
“In MATAN every move we make from 2011 till date, we license to operate even on security of our food value chain from warehousing, to distribution and even education.
“In our recent presentation before the National Assembly in Abuja we hinted that we are going to create private institutions for breakfast and lunch in every school, no children will stay at home again, once they hear they will eat breakfast and lunch at appropriate time of the day.
“Our Private Partnership Food Security Service will handle it and by virtue of this innovation, illiteracy, banditry and other forms of criminalities will be reasonably nibbed at its bud,” Johnson said.
Holding on to the core mandate of the organisation, Alhaji Abba Aminu Imam the National Coordinator of the MATAN Community Compound Food and Nutrition Revolution Initiatives harped on the resolution that no Nigerian will ever go to bed hungry.
He stated the readiness of the initiatives to holistically mop-up various agric products from the farm steads and bring them to the food production hubs for seamless distribution through the off-takers.
“We are trying to see what products can we be able to mop-up and bring to take-off, so that from there we can continue to escalate into the 36 states plus Abuja and 774 local government in gradual phases.” Abba said.
Pastor Steve Archibong Group National Vice President, South-South Zone + 21 PILLARS as the host of the flag-off programme in his goodwill message appreciated the honour of having the presence of the Group National President, he however, stated the resolve of the region to partner with stakeholders to ensure hunger is banished across states under his domain.
Chief Mrs Atonila J Omoyemi Petra National Group Vice President, South West On behalf of the Six Regional Vice Presidents and a recipient of MATAN Food Bank of Nigeria award of excellence at the Rivers State exco inauguration, urged all present to keep up the zeal and commitment.
She further charged the newly inaugurated Rivers State exco on the need to fuse with the available networks within the MATAN ecosystem and collaborate for progress and greater attainments.
Dr Wealth Chuwkukah Martins National Coordinator of Community Street Food and Nutrition Feeding Foundation maintained that the initiative is responsible as the last port of call in the food chain that ensures seamless distribution of the foods to the masses through the central and community kitchens while managing e-transportation and marshals to deliver food.
“We hear a lot of monies budgeted for agriculture, food, palliatives and more but it never gets to the grassroots or masses, it is hijacked halfway by certain set of people.
“In every Local Government, we will recruit over 100 agents to support enumeration and distribution. We are also working in close partnership with traditional rulers,” he said.
He added that beneficiaries will be categorized and issued cards — Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
“The Bronze Card is specifically for the vulnerable who cannot feed themselves, giving them access to eat free three times daily at our Community Kitchens,” he added.
Hon. Mrs. Adeniji Remilekun Grace JP National coordinator METS/MATAN Mobility who superintends the air, rail and water transportation for seamless movements of products through the value chain, cited the non availability of charging points as a major challenge for e-transportation model being envisaged.
“To make it work, our community and government should provide availability for charging points, improve electricity, and encourage people to use electric vehicles,” he said.
For Amb. Stephen A. O. Paul the Deputy Commander General, Manpower & Statistics, Nigeria Forest Security Service, National Headquarters, also a National Coordinator, National Agricultural Workers Health & Protection Initiative (NAWHPI), MATAN, ensuring the welfare of workers across the food value chain is non negotiable.
He said, “Our credibility will ultimately be determined by what happens to the farmer in the village, the agricultural worker on the farm, the driver transporting food, the warehouse worker, and the communities whose livelihoods depend upon agriculture.”
In her brief but precise goodwill message at the flag-off programme Chief Mrs Mariam Shonibare Apakala National Coordinator of MATAN Pan-Africa Nutrition & Food Health Lab (MFPANFHL), emphasised the need for healthy nutrition, while urging Nigerians to consume our local foods which according to her contains needed nutrients.
“Our local foods can provide many of the nutrients our bodies need when we choose a variety of foods, combine them wisely, practise good food hygiene, and avoid excessive amounts of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
“Let us therefore appreciate our local foods, as much as our seafood is full of nutrients, let avoid cross contamination and teach our children healthy eating habits, support our local farmers and make nutritious food a priority in our homes and communities.
“Healthy food means healthier people, stronger families, and a healthier nation.”
Elated by the flag-off the Chairman Rivers State Projects Steering Committee Pastor Godwin Okere appreciated the history made by the organization in the state, while restating commitment to advancing food security all over the state