Web apps help thousands of poor Nigerians warm their belly

Software engineer Oscar Ekponimo develops web applications that help thousands of poor Nigerians escape hunger.

Nigerian software engineer Ekponimo created the Chowberry Web application that simultaneously addresses food waste and hunger in society in Nigeria, Reuters reported Aug. 11.

Many poor families in Nigeria are resettled by Chowberry. (Video: Reuters).

According to Ekponimo, Chowberry allows charity organizations to buy food at or near the expiry date of the store at preferential prices for delivery to the poor rather than for food excluded.

Childhood hunger is the driving force behind Exponimo's pursuit of ideas. "When I was young, there were times when I was not able to work so we could not find food , " Ekponimo said. "I have always thought that someday it will solve this problem so that others do not have to go through what I have ever experienced."

With widow Chizoba Ugwu, Chowberry is an escape route. "I struggled to find food for my family because of unemployment, and thanks to everyone helping me, I managed to raise three children, but now it's better , " Ugwu said.

Dr Robert Gravani of Food Sciences at Cornell University in the United States said that expired foods in many cases can still be used because of the best quality time. Food disposed of by shoppers and consumers is one third of the world's wasted food, according to the United Nations.

Ekponimo aims to support 50,000-100,000 homes by 2018. In 2016, he won the Rolex Innovation Award.