Ikeja LG Flags Off ‘Snack For Thought (PBAT Feeds)’ Advocacy Programme On National Home-Grown School Feeding Initiative

The event commenced with the introduction of dignitaries, including the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda; the Vice Chairman, Hon. Abisola Omisore; ED, National Program Manager,

National Home Grown School, Dr. Princess Aderemi Adebowale; the Secretary to the Local Government, Prince Adeyinka Illo; the Chief of Staff, Hon. Adeyi Adeniyi; the Supervisor for Education, Oluwapelumi Ayobami Omotunde; the Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Oluwafunmibi Febisola Akinduro; the SA on WAPA, Olajumoke Fatimoh Ogunyemi; the SA  for ICT/Innovation, Hon. Bankole Olanrewaju Rasheed; the Supervisor for Agriculture, Omotayo Matthew Aderinsola; the Supervisor for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Ayotunde Adenuga; SA on Environment, Hon. Oluwaseun Makinde; the Woman Leader, Mrs Arubo . ; the Chief Executive Officer of Marshall Biscuits, Alhaji Umar Marshall; other managers and invited guests.

Delivering his welcome address, the Executive Chairman, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda, applauded the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a people-centred initiative aimed at improving the lives of Nigerian children. He noted that the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, initiated by the Federal Government in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and supported by local governments, was designed to ensure that children feel the positive impact of government through improved nutrition and enhanced learning.

The Chairman assured participants of the unwavering support of Ikeja Local Government towards the programme, emphasizing that the council would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure its success. He further stated that the advocacy programme would not be the last, reaffirming the council’s commitment to initiatives that directly benefit children and the people of Ikeja. He described Ikeja Local Government as a cooperative and people-centred council committed to programmes that improve the quality of life of its residents.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Princess Aderemi Adebowale highlighted the objectives and achievements of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme. She disclosed that the programme currently provides nutritious meals to pupils in Primary One to Primary Three and revealed ongoing plans to expand the initiative to include pupils in Primary Four to Primary Six through an increase in budgetary allocation.

According to her, Nigeria currently feeds about 10 million school children under the programme, while the proposed expansion is expected to increase the number of beneficiaries to approximately 20 million nationwide. She explained that the programme is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian child is adequately nourished to enhance learning, improve school attendance, and boost academic performance.

Dr. Adebowale further stated that the initiative aims to provide every participating child with a healthy snack and fruit juice every school morning as breakfast. She also appealed to individuals, corporate organisations, and development partners to support the programme through sponsorship to ensure its sustainability and expansion.

During an interactive session, pupils were invited to explain why they believed the programme was introduced. Their responses reflected a remarkable understanding of its purpose. One pupil said it was introduced “to reduce the stress of our parents,” another responded that it was “to help us concentrate on our studies,” while another observed that it was necessary because “the economy of Nigeria is quite bad.”

In recognition of their outstanding responses, twelve pupils were presented with educational tablets. The beneficiaries were Bello Fatimo, Rainout Ayoade, Favour Oriola, Nelly Godsent, Miracle Chukwu, Adebisi Oluwafunmilayo, Flourish Daso, Fausat Hamdal, Oloyede Emmanuel, Samuel Francis, Ismaila Seidu, and Salah Rachael. Additionally, all the children in attendance received gift items, making the event a memorable and rewarding experience for every participant.

The advocacy programme underscored the shared commitment of the Federal Government, the Lagos State Government, and Ikeja Local Government to strengthening child nutrition, improving access to quality education, and investing in the future of Nigeria’s children through sustainable school feeding initiatives.