Distribution Of Palliatives Begins In Lagos

LAGOS

State government, with support from the Federal Government, has started distributing the take- home rations for pupils. About 37,589 households with pupils in Primary 1 to 3 have been penciled down to benefit from the modified Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

The programme was formally flagged off on Thursday in Lagos with parents/ representatives of pupils in St. Francis Primary School, Maryland taking home the rations for their wards.

At the launch, the Executive Chairman of Lagos State universal Basic Education Board ( LSUBEB), Hon. Wahab Alawiye- King said the 37, 589 households that would benefit from the programme would be reached in the next four weeks.

Alawiye- King said the distribution of take home rations was in fulfillment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that school feeding should continue despite school closure. According to him, the distribution would be done in batches across the local governments in 202 centres.

“This programme is fully funded, designed and packaged by the Federal Government with the support of Lagos State government. A lot of work has gone into preparing for the kickoff to ensure that this is done in a transparent and seamless manner,” Alawiye- King said.

He thanked the Federal Government for the laudable initiative and the state governor, Babajide Sanwo- Olu, for supporting the cause and ensuring that the project came to fruition.

Alawiye- King, however, asked for continuous cooperation and understanding of all stakeholders to ensure that the food items get to the intended beneficiaries.

One of the benefiting pupils of St Francis Primary School, Maryland, was Favour Daniel, who was represented by her aunt, Idoren David. David thanked the government for initiating the project, noting that it would be a good relief for her and her husband in catering for the feeding needs of her niece.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the President on National Home Grown School Feeding ( NHGSF), Mrs. Titilola Adeyemi- Doro, said given that children’s health and nutrition determine their school attendance, ability to learn and overall development, the Federal Government was not relenting on its deliberate investment into the National Home- Grown School Feeding Programme ( NHGSFP).