The Federal Government announced on Tuesday that the soon-to-be-resuscitated National Home Grown School Feeding Programme will serve over 10 million pupils nationwide.
A statement signed by Oyedokun Oyewumi of the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on School Feeding indicated that the SSA, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, gave the assurance during a visit to an IDP camp at the Transitional Learning Center, Wassa, Abuja.
The presidential aide was in Wassa to inspect the school feeding program sponsored by the Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation, an NGO, in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.
She added that the school feeding programme would ensure no child in each public school is left behind.
Dr. Adeniji commended the program at Wassa for its demonstrable success in bolstering school enrollment and attendance rates.
She said it is an instrumental force in the advancement of education, the alleviation of hunger, and the dismantling of the cycle of poverty.
Dr. Adeniji said the school feeding initiative under the President’s renewed hope agenda targets pupils from primary one to three across Nigeria.
According to Dr. Adeniji, the initiative resonates with the sentiment that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish and contribute to the nation’s development.
She commended the organisation’s efforts, saying they underscore the paramount importance of education and nutrition in the comprehensive development of every child, regardless of their circumstances.
She affirmed that initiatives of this nature can substantially improve the lives of the most vulnerable citizens.
“The Renewed Hope agenda exemplify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the nation’s welfare. Within this framework, a vision is cast for Nigeria wherein every child enjoys access to quality education and nutritious sustenance, regardless of their background or geographical location. Dr. Adeniji articulated that by investing in the youth today, a brighter and more prosperous future is being forged for the nation”, she said.
Adeniji added that smallholder farmers will be engaged in supplying food for the school feeding programme as soon as it commences.
While reiterating the objectives of the school feeding programme model, the SSA said the programme aims to increase resilience, promote equity, stimulate growth, and reduce poverty.
“The school feeding program stands as a transformative force in realizing the Renewed Hope vision. Beyond its immediate impact on addressing childhood nutrition, it incentivises families to prioritize education, ” Dr. Adeniji said.
She commended the NGO for doing everything necessary to ensure school children are fed.
Adeniji also said the Federal Government has committed a huge sum to the school feeding programme, which state governments will complement.
While calling for more collaborations with relevant agencies, Dr Adeniji extended profound gratitude to NGOs like Plane, UNESCO and various stakeholders who have contributed to this noble endeavour.
