Jare Olukotun
The Executive Chairman of Imota Local Council Development Area, Hon. Benson Sunday Ayodele, on Tuesday, officially flagged- off the Renewed Hope Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in the council area, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving child nutrition, increasing school enrolment, and promoting academic excellence among pupils in public primary schools.
The flag-off ceremony, held at St. John Anglican Primary School, Imota, attracted government officials, education stakeholders, school administrators, community leaders, and pupils, who gathered to witness the commencement of the initiative under the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP). The programme is designed to provide nutritious meals to pupils.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Benson Ayodele described the programme as a strategic investment in the future of the nation’s children, stressing that no child should be deprived of quality education because of hunger. He noted that access to nutritious meals would improve learning outcomes, encourage regular school attendance, and reduce absenteeism among pupils.
The Council Chairman commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for implementing policies that prioritise the welfare of school children across the country. He also applauded the Lagos State Government and the relevant implementing agencies for ensuring the successful rollout of the programme in Imota LCDA.
Representing the programme implementation team in Imota LCDA, Comrade Abdulgafar Bello explained that the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme extends beyond providing meals to pupils. According to him, the initiative also creates economic opportunities for local farmers, food processors, caterers, and other small-scale businesses through the local sourcing of food items. He added that the programme would improve child nutrition while stimulating grassroots economic development.
In her remarks, the Head Teacher of St. John Anglican Primary School, Imota, Mrs. Funmilayo Janet Adekola, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Lagos State Government, and Imota LCDA for extending the programme to the council area. She described the initiative as timely, noting that it would ease the financial burden on many families and encourage more parents to enrol their children in public primary schools.
The highlight of the event was the symbolic serving of nutritious meals to pupils by Hon. Benson Sunday Ayodele and other dignitaries, marking the official commencement of the feeding programme in Imota LCDA. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as pupils enthusiastically received their meals, reflecting the positive impact the initiative is expected to have on their health, well-being, and educational development.
