The Federal Government has called on local government authorities to support and be involved in the implementation and sustainability of school feeding programmes in their localities.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding, Dr Yetunde Adeniji made the call when she paid a working visit to the Loko Development Area Chairman, Nasarawa state, Hon. Shuaibu Umar and the Emir of Loko, MaiLoko, Alhaji Sabo.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, Adeniji commended Loko for achieving global mention as the first Nigerian local government to identify with the Global School meals coalition which held its first Ministerial Meeting in Paris in October 2023.
At the Emir’s palace, the SSAP thanked the Emir for his firm support towards the school feeding in his emirate and the overall well-being of school children.
She said his support is worthy of emulation and will ensure continued sustainability of the school feeding programme.
Umar, in his response, said the visit to Loko shows that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is concerned about the grassroots as exhibited by this visit.
He assured of his government and community’s continued support to the office of the SSAP and the National Home Grown School Feeding Program.
Meanwhile, the Emir in his remark commended Adeniji for her visit as it was the first of its kind from the Presidency to Loko since the inception of this administration.
Adeniji further disclosed that her delegation also held discussions with the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, to seek support for its school feeding programme.
“We met with His Excellency Salem Saeed Alshamsi Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates alongside the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani and the North Central Woman Leader of the APC, Princess Zara Audu on the occasion of the 52nd United Arab Emirates National Day.
“We are happy to say the Kaduna State Government is ready to assist the programme (school feeding) in every way possible. The governor takes great pride in the programme saying Kaduna was one of the best states designated for such a programme. They pride themselves and want to continue to be the best in line with our school feeding programme.
“Just like the Governor, the ambassador started by commending the school feeding programme as well as the SSA for taking the bold step of reaching out to stakeholders. He also commended the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for the initiative taken so far to address many challenges facing the country,” the statement said.
