This was as the President Bola Tinubu-led administration gave an assurance that no child in public schools will be left behind in the school feeding programme.
Senior Special Assistant (School Feeding) to the President, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, stated these during a visit to an IDP camp at the Transitional Learning Centre, Wassa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
The assurances were contained in a release by Mr. Oyewumi Oyedokun of the Office of the SSA to the President on School Feeding.
The presidential aide was at Wassa to inspect a school feeding programme sponsored by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation.
The programme was in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The presidential aide commended the programme 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, alleviation of hunger and dismantling of the cycle of poverty.”
Dr. Adeniji said the school feeding initiative, under the President Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda, was targeted at pupils from Primary One to Primary Three across the country.
She said the initiative resonated with the sentiment that every child deserved the opportunity to flourish and contribute to the nation’s development.
She commended the organisation, saying its efforts underscored the paramount importance of education and nutrition in the comprehensive development of all children, irrespective of their circumstances.
Dr Adeniji affirmed that initiatives of this nature hold the power to effect substantial positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable citizens.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the nation is exemplified by the Renewed Hope agenda.
“Within this framework, a vision is cast for a Nigeria wherein every child enjoys access to quality education and nutritious sustenance, regardless of their background or geographical location.
“By investing in the youth today, a brighter and more prosperous future is being forged for the nation,” the SSA to the President on School Feeding stated.
Adeniji disclosed that smallholder farmers will be engaged to supply foodstuff for the school feeding programme as soon as it commenced.
The SSA restated the objectives of the school feeding programme model, noting that it was aimed at increasing resilience, promote equity, stimulate growth and poverty reduction.
“The school feeding programme stands as a transformative force in realising the Renewed Hope Agenda vision.
“Beyond its immediate impact on addressing childhood nutrition, it serves as an incentive for families to prioritize education,” Dr. Adeniji added.
She commended Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation for doing the needful to ensure that the school children were fed.
Adeniji also said the Federal Government has committed huge sum to the programme, which she said would be complemented by governments at the state level.
She called for more collaborations with relevant agencies and extended gratitude to organisations like Plane, UNESCO and other stakeholders who contributed to the noble endeavour.
