Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on school feeding during an organised two days transformative workshop, has called for more focus on school feeding as a means of empowering children within school age.
The event which took place June 27th and 28th at Yanna Apartment in Utako, Abuja with theme “Encouraging State-Driven Implementation and Best Practices for School Feeding Towards Local Agricultural Value Chain, Community Engagement, and Economic Development” exposed the link between nutrition, education, and economic growth.
From her speech titled “Investing in Our Future: The Power of School Feeding Program on the cognitive development and academic performance of Nigerian children” Dr. Adeniji highlighted the relationship between proper nutrition and enhanced learning outcomes.
Excerpts from her speech reads: “This programme is not simply about providing meals; it’s about nurturing the minds of tomorrow’s leaders.”
The organisers called for strong leadership and collaboration between federal and state governments while stressing that the program can only be successful when there is dedication of state focal persons and program managers.
On this note, Dr. Adeniji lauded the role of some key individuals stating they are the backbone of the initiative as they acted as liaisons between the government, schools, and communities to ensure effective implementation of the programme.
The domestication of the Africa Unions Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) continental school feeding guidelines for Nigerian state officials was of great focus during the event.
Special recognition was also given to AUDA-NEPAD, for its invaluable support and contribution to the program’s progress as Dr. Adeniji expressed gratitude for their firm commitment to Nigeria’s development and urged continued collaboration to build a brighter future for Nigerian children.
Concluding, the organiser Dr. Adeniji issued a resounding reminder and call to action:
She said: “Let us join hands, leverage our expertise, and invest in our children’s future through the power of school feeding programs. The time to act is now!”