The presidency is considering a partnership with Tetra Pak, a global food processing and packaging solutions company on the implementation of the nationwide schools feeding programme.
Top government functionaries, including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on school feeding, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji; the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Yusuf Sununu; and nutrition and food safety experts, met with officials of Tetra Pak led by its managing director, Haithem Debbiche, in Abuja, the federal capital territory, to explore ways of achieving the objective, according to a statement by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on School Feeding on Friday.
The gathering brought together key stakeholders from government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, and educational institutions to deliberate on the progress, challenges, and future directions of the School Feeding Programme.
Adeniji, who expressed happiness over the enthusiasm displayed by the management of Tetra Pak on the implementation of the programme, called for concerted effort aimed at ensuring the smooth takeoff of the school feeding programme, which is in line with the renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
She emphasised the urgent need for synergy between Tetra Pak and the government to fast-track investment in the National Home-Grown School Feeding programme.
Commending the Minister of State for Humanitarian and other stakeholders for responding promptly to the stakeholder engagement initiated by her office and Tetra Pak, she reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment towards the implementation of the school feeding programme.
The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and poverty reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, emphasised the critical role of the feeding initiative in boosting school enrollment, enhancing children’s nutritional status, and supporting local economies through the engagement of local farmers and caterers.
He further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the programme as a strategic tool in the fight against hunger, malnutrition, and out-of-school syndrome among Nigerian children. (Punch)
