Food Security: MATAN Food Bank Foundation Visioneer Urges Collaboration

The president of the Steering Committee of Motivating Action Towards Achieving Nutrition (MATAN) Food Bank Foundation, Ambassador (Dr.) Olakunle Moses Johnson, has tasked members and stakeholders to collaborate for the attainment of food security.

Johnson made the call in a letter written to solicit support for the group’s vision, citing key initiatives geared towards ensuring the wellbeing of the masses.

The MATAN Food Bank /(AMFSI) (MCCFNI) is a duly incorporated body with the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Automated MATAN Food Security Initiative registration number LW13871 and Corporate Affairs Commission certificates of incorporation for MATAN Community Compound Foods and Nutrition Resolution Initiative registration number: 8210040, as well as MATAN Food Bank Foundation registration number: 8136161.

Addressed to the MATAN Community members, the letter mirrored various desires of the populace and strategic means of making them a reality.

The letter is read;

To My Fellow MATAN Community Members,

I, Ambassador (Dr) Olakunle Moses Johnson, Visionary Leader of MATAN Food Bank Resolution, stand before you today with unwavering resolve and determination. As we journey through the complexities of our world, I am reminded of the courageous legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., who stood fearlessly against injustice and fought tirelessly for human rights.

As citizens of an endowed and prosperous nation, we are desirable of a quality and affordable means of livelihood.

My dreams to my great country is to contribute my meaningful quota to lift up our great nation from her inadequacy, insufficiency and insecurity of fooods shortages. Because I don’t need to become a local government chairman, councillor, president, governor, minister or parliamentarian before contributing my quota to the society, the community remain our ambit of operation, knowing so well how germane it is to the even development of our society.

Good citizenship makes up a great and prosperous nation that ushers in good governance at all Levels. Our stand is resolute and encompassing and poised towards a new rebirth of agricultural revolution which is a catalyst for food security.

I use this medium to appreciate Mr President, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the great mother of the nation, Her Excellency Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the bation’s First Lady, our Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima.

May Almighty God continue to bestow on them knowledge, wisdom and understanding to administer the nation to the promised Land. I also want to commend the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, for their unwavering commitment in governance.

The 36 state governors, the Minister of FCT Abuja and all the traditional Institutions are pivotal or key to the geometric progression of this laudable and prosperous initiative.

The government support for our numerous programs as entailed in our prosperous Initiatives is inevitable.

The government, through her Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), are poised to leverage our platform for the chains of distribution of incentives, benefits and palliative accrued to the farmers, less privileges, motherless, widows etc.

Amongst our visions is to support the poorest members of the society.

The Federal Government is expected to support in the special invitation of the heads of the following international agencies (world Trading Organisation (WTO), African Development Bank (AFDB), Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) World Health Organisation (WHO) to grace and deliver speech during the launching and planned farmers stakeholder engagement forum scheduled to hold in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Inauguration of Central working Committee and state chapter Project Managers/LGA Project Managers.

In the face of adversity, I draw strength from Dr. King’s words: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Today, I stand resolute, unwavering in my commitment to our shared vision of a brighter future for all.

To those who may seek to threaten or harm me. I say: you may try to break my body, but you will never break my spirit. You may try to silence my voice, but you will never silence the voices of the marginalised and oppressed. For I am not alone; I am part of a collective movement for justice, equality and human rights.

As the great Android (Andréa) of the USA once said, “The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence.” I say to you, my friends, that our collective confidence in the face of adversity will be the catalyst for transformative change.

Together, we will rise above the noise of hatred and intolerance. Together, we will create a world where every individual has access to nutritious food, clean water, quality education and economic opportunities.

To our likely partners, I state unequivocally that your support will make this noble cause a reality.

Government and Public Sector Partners:

1. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) – For disaster relief food distribution.
2. Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – Supports agricultural-based food security programs.
3. State and Local Governments – Collaboration on grassroots food distribution.

International and Multinational Organisations

1. World Food Programme (WFP) – Provides funding and technical support for food security programs.
2. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Partnership for poverty alleviation initiatives.
3. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) – Supports food-related projects and sustainability.
4. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) – Focuses on rural poverty reduction.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

1. Action Against Hunger – Expertise in providing food assistance to underserved communities.
2. Oxfam – Partners for hunger alleviation projects.
3. Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) – Focus on nutrition-related food distribution.

Corporate Sponsors (CSR Initiatives)

1. Dangote Foundation – Known for large-scale philanthropy and food donations in Nigeria.
2. MTN Foundation – Regularly funds social impact projects.
3. Nestlé Nigeria – Corporate social responsibility programs related to nutrition and food access.
4. Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) – Collaboration for grain and flour products.
5. Shoprite Nigeria – Partnerships for community food donations.

Faith-Based Organisations

1. Christian Aid – For food security and humanitarian aid.
2. Islamic Relief – Provides food boxes during emergencies.
3. Caritas Nigeria – Focus on food assistance for underserved communities.

Local Community-Based Organisations (CBOs)

1. Farmers’ Associations – E.g., Himma Youth Farmers Association for agricultural produce donations.
2. Market Women Associations – For local-level food distribution.

Foundations

1. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – For nutrition and hunger alleviation projects.
2. Tony Elumelu Foundation – Provides support for impactful initiatives in Nigeria.
3. Ford Foundation – Funding food security initiatives.

I call upon each and every one of you to join me in this collective resolution:

• We will stand strong in the face of adversity.
• We will lift our voices for justice and equality.
• We will empower our communities through education and economic opportunities.

My fellow MATAN Community members, I urge you to join me on this transformative journey. Let us rise above our challenges and create a beacon of hope for ourselves and for future generations.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we will achieve a brighter future.

In solidarity and determination Nutrition Resolution.