The Imo State Chairman of the MATAN Food Bank Foundation, Hon. Chris Odika, says the organisation is targeting over 40 million Nigerians in its grassroots food security and hunger intervention programme.

Odika spoke during a meeting with members of the Foundation in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area at the end of a statewide tour of MATAN structures in Imo.

In a statement issued on Friday by the state Director of Information and Technology, Imuche Chukwu, Odika said the Foundation’s Automated MATAN Food Security Initiative was designed to rebuild Nigeria’s food system using technology-driven production and distribution channels.

“The target is to cater for over 40 million Nigerians, identify vulnerable groups for intervention and ensure food gets directly to those who need it,” he said. He added that hunger remained a major cause of insecurity, banditry and low productivity in the country.

Odika warned members against politicising the Foundation’s activities, stressing that MATAN remained committed to grassroots hunger and poverty reduction programmes.

The Deputy Chairman of the Foundation in Imo State, Deacon Tony Chukwu, said the statewide tour was aimed at strengthening MATAN’s rural structures to ensure its programmes reached people in hinter land communities.

The team also visited the Eze-Elect of Umunwaku Autonomous Community, Chief Basil Ugochukwu, who pledged support for the Foundation’s initiatives.