By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Government has kicked off preparations for the launch of a Food Bank programme in the state.

The programme is geared towards providing food and nutritional support to thousands of vulnerable residents as part of efforts to combat food insecurity and malnutrition.

According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, the initiative which will be officially flagged off by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu during her maiden visit to Awka on 10th September 2026 will target children aged 0–6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers identified as being in need of nutritional assistance.

Obidike who stated this during a stakeholders’ preparatory meeting on Friday said that beneficiaries would be assessed at primary healthcare centres and other health facilities nearest to their communities before being enrolled in the programme.

He explained that health workers would conduct nutritional assessments to determine each beneficiary’s level of need and eligibility to ensure that the intervention reaches the most vulnerable groups.

While noting that the state is also compiling data on the number of eligible beneficiaries to facilitate effective planning and equitable distribution of food supplies, the Commissioner harped on the importance of transparent management of the programme, saying that proper identification and distribution mechanisms would help prevent diversion and ensure the food items reach those who need them most.

He said that the government would launch a statewide awareness campaign using radio, television, social media, town announcers and other communication channels to encourage eligible families to visit the nearest health facility for assessment.

The commissioner added: “The wife of the Anambra State Governor is also finalising a complementary nutrition initiative expected to benefit about 8,000 vulnerable children across the state.

“Both programmes would strengthen the Soludo administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce malnutrition, improve maternal and child health, and cushion the impact of rising food insecurity.”

Present at the meeting were, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Chuks Odoemenam; the Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Chizoba Ezeabasili; and representatives of the Bank of Africa.