The Lagos State Government has partnered with the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme to launch “Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS”, 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, which is expected to be launched in Lagos next week Tuesday, June 30 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the National Programne Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Dr Aderemi Adebowale, said the intervention was designed to ensure that no child is deprived of quality education because of hunger.
Princess Adebowale said Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS in Lagos State is being supported by the three tier of government federal, state and local governments. She therefore commended President Bola Tinubu, Governor, the minister for humanitarian and poverty reduction. The national coordinator, national social investment program agency (NSIPA), Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the entire 57 council chairmen in Lagos State and our various supporting partners for supporting the programme.
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.
Dr Adebowale noted that the “Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS” 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.
Dr Adebowale, who noted that hunger remains a major challenge affecting children’s concentration, school attendance, classroom participation and academic performance, said the Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS programme seeks to address classroom hunger, improve concentration, boost school attendance and enhance academic performance among pupils through community and private sector support.
She said the programme is designed to ensure that primary school pupils begin their day with nutritious breakfast snacks to improve learning outcomes, adding that it will also boost food security and national security.
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.
Olusanya disclosed that the initiative would commence with a pilot phase in Lagos State, targeting thousands of pupils across public primary schools while creating opportunities for local agricultural producers.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, described the Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS initiative as a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian children.
Omotoso noted that the programme would not only improve access to nutritious meals but also contribute to reducing the number of out-of-school children.
He appealed to the private sector, development partners and well-meaning Nigerians to support and embrace the initiative to ensure its sustainability and impact. He also called on corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the programme, describing it as an investment in the future of the nation’s children.
Also speaking, Lagos State 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 poverty and improving the academic performance of schoolchildren.
He said access to nutritious meals in a conducive learning environment is critical to building a brighter future for children and enhancing educational outcomes.
The Co-CEOs of Tantacom, Mrs. Olufunke Adu and Jennifer Odufuwa, who are consultants expressed their commitment to the success of the Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS initiative scheduled to take place in Lagos from June 30 to July 3 across the three senatorial districts and 57 councils of the State.