BENJAMIN OMOIKE
LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Government has partnered with the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme to launch an initiative aimed at providing nutritious breakfast snacks to primary school pupils and improving learning outcomes across schools.
Speaking at a press conference on the initiative themed “Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS”, the National Manager of the programme, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, said the intervention was designed to ensure that no child is deprived of quality education because of hunger.
According to her, hunger remains a major challenge affecting children’s concentration, school attendance, classroom participation and academic performance.
She explained that the initiative seeks to mobilise individuals, corporate organisations, philanthropists, development partners, faith-based organisations and communities to support the nutritional needs of schoolchildren through a transparent school adoption model.
Princess Adebowale noted that the programme aligns with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme by promoting child welfare, educational development and human capital growth.
She also unveiled an innovative digital dashboard that will allow sponsors to adopt schools, monitor implementation, track beneficiaries and assess the impact of their contributions in real time.
“The initiative is about feeding minds, fuelling learning and building futures. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn without the burden of hunger,” she said.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, urged stakeholders and private sector operators to support local farmers who will be engaged in supplying food items for the programme.
She disclosed that the initiative would commence with a pilot phase in Lagos State, targeting thousands of pupils across public schools while creating opportunities for local agricultural producers.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Tolani Ali-Balogun, said the programme, scheduled to be officially flagged off on June 30, is aimed at addressing learning poverty and improving the academic performance of schoolchildren.
According to him, access to nutritious meals in a conducive learning environment is critical to building a brighter future for children and enhancing educational outcomes.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian children.
He noted that the programme would not only improve access to nutritious meals but also contribute to reducing the number of out-of-school children.
Omotoso called on the private sector, development partners and well-meaning Nigerians to support and embrace the initiative to ensure its sustainability and impact.
