By Samuel Vincent
In a bid to support childrens’ access to nutrient rich foods despite disruptions to the traditional channels of school feeding occasioned by COVID-19, Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, has flagged off the Modified Homegrown School Feeding Programme.
The programme, which is a partnership between the Federal Government and the World Food Programme (WFP) is a continuation of the Homegrown School Feeding Programme stalled by COVID-19 pandemic.
Performing the flag off in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Thursday, the Minister said, the event is sequel President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to her ministry to liaise with State governments to develop strategies on the continuation of the school feeding programme.
The minister observed that, acting on the orders of the president, her ministry in collaboration with State governments identified the distribution of Take-Home Rations (THR) to the households of the children on the programme as a feasible method of achieving this directive after exploring several options.
According to her, a total of 3.1 million households are targeted for this intervention with focus on parents and guardians of children in primary 1 to 3 in public schools participating in the programme.
In Kuje, where the modified programme takes off, a total of 3,512 households are to benefit from the programme.
The Council Area’s Distribution Voucher shows communities with beneficiaries: Kuje Central SPS 820; Chibiri 388; Kwaku 380; Kabin kasa 90; Gaube 830; Gidan Bawa 80;Gudunkarya 370; Kujekwa 122; Yenche 132Rubochi 300.
Agencies such as Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Code of Conduct Bureau and a host of NGOs and CSOs are expected to monitor implementation of the programme to check sharp practices.
Minister for State FCT, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, who was represented by her Focal Person for FCT, Chinwendu Amba, said the aim of the modification is to forestall the children from looking malnourished upon resumption.
Speaking on behalf of WFP, Country Director for Nigeria, Paul Howe, tasked Nigeria on sustainability of the programme with ultimate focus on zero hunger.
“But I also hope that this partnership in larger coalition, bringing people together that the Ministry has initiated for this response will go beyond this beautiful distribution that is going to take place today, it will also continue into the future as we work together as a whole society to try to achieve zero hunger for Nigeria,” he said.
The Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Sabo, while appreciating the kind gesture of the Federal Government also appealed to the minister to assist the area council in ecological disasters such erosion and flood.
After Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states are the next ports of call before the programme moves to other states of the Federation.
