The National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, made the call on Wednesday at a news conference held in Alausa, Lagos.
Adebowale said the initiative was designed to provide meals for pupils, improve school attendance and support the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance access to quality education.
She said the programme aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would contribute significantly to reducing the number of out-of-school children across the country.
According to her, Nigerians of goodwill, corporate organisations and philanthropists should embrace the Adopt-a-School campaign by sponsoring the feeding of pupils in schools or classes for specified periods as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
“The Snacks for Thought initiative is aimed at encouraging school attendance through the provision of nutritious meals to pupils.
“We believe that when children are assured of meals in school, attendance will improve and the challenge of out-of-school children will be reduced significantly.
“We are also calling on well-meaning Nigerians, private organisations and philanthropists to adopt schools or classes and support the feeding programme as part of their contribution to national development,” she said.
Adebowale disclosed that no fewer than 30,000 pupils would be fed daily in Lagos during the three-day pilot phase of the programme.
She added that the initiative was being jointly funded by the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Tolani Alli-Balogun, commended the Federal Government for introducing the initiative, describing it as a strategic intervention to improve learning outcomes.
“All stakeholders in the education sector understand the importance of proper nutrition to learning.
“This initiative will not only improve school attendance but also enhance pupils’ concentration and overall academic performance,” he said.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the programme would further strengthen the linkage between agriculture and education while supporting local food production.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said the initiative reflected the commitment of both the Federal and Lagos State Governments to the welfare of children.
He expressed optimism that the programme would positively impact educational standards and pupil retention in schools.
The governor is expected to officially flag off the Snacks for Thought initiative in Lagos from June 30 to July 5, ahead of its rollout in other states of the federation.
