Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially launched the Adopt-a-School Snacks for Thought, PBAT FEEDS initiative in Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The Adopt-a-School Snacks for Thought, PBAT FEEDS programme is a Federal Government initiative designed to provide breakfast meals to primary school pupils across the country with the aim of improving school attendance and learning outcomes.
Speaking at the launch, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, commended the initiative, describing it as a strategic intervention that would help reduce the number of out-of-school children.
He noted that government alone cannot cater for the needs of the growing population, stressing the importance of public-private partnerships in supporting education and child development.
The governor expressed confidence that the programme aligns with his administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda and would contribute to improved academic performance among pupils by addressing hunger and enhancing concentration in the classroom.
In her remarks, the National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Aderemi Adebowale, said the initiative is expected to address classroom hunger, improve concentration and boost school attendance through community participation and private sector support.
She explained that the programme is designed to create an enabling environment for effective learning while encouraging greater collaboration among stakeholders in the education sector.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA, Muibi Folawiyo, called on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations, religious institutions and other stakeholders to support the initiative as part of their corporate social responsibility by adopting schools to provide meals for pupils.
Folawiyo said increased participation would help improve learning outcomes in public schools across Lagos State and contribute to the overall development of the education sector.
As part of the programme, each pupil received a school bag, tablet device, snack box, water bottle, flask, notebooks and other stationery items to support their learning.