The Director of Basic Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, has offered reassurance to Nigerians regarding the suspended school feeding programme initiated by the Federal Government, stating that it will soon resume operations.
President Bola Tinubu’s decision on January 12 to suspend all activities of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, including the N-Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, and Home Grown School Feeding Programme, for a period of six weeks, was based on ongoing investigations into alleged mismanagement within the agency and its various programmes.
Nine weeks later, despite the suspension, including that of the school feeding programme, there has been no resumption of activities.
During the launch of the Create that Change Development Initiative, a non-governmental organization, Dr. Olatunji-David expressed optimism about the return of the school feeding programme, asserting that it would come back stronger and more comprehensive than before.
In her statement, Dr. Olatunji-David outlined plans for the programme’s improvement, emphasizing the need for meticulous planning to ensure its effective implementation once directives are received.
“We are planning. We don’t just want to come out without planning to ensure that as soon as we receive the directives, proper implementation is done. If it is the whole of primary school or basic education, it will be done properly. We await further directives on this,” she affirmed.
Dr. Olatunji-David also commended the efforts of the Create that Change Development Initiative, noting that its initiatives would contribute significantly to the welfare and development of children, adolescents, and society at large.
Meanwhile, the founder of the NGO, Mrs. Sharon Ayeni, highlighted the organization’s mission to address pressing challenges in Nigeria and uplift those in need. She emphasized the need for concerted efforts to eradicate poverty and support the youth, outlining several initiatives, including the Enhancing Nutrition, Exercise and Reading Initiative (ENERI) and the Build Her Initiative, aimed at making a tangible difference in the lives of children and youth across the nation.