Osun’s governor Ademola Adeleke reiterated his government’s commitment to improve the state of nutritional health of school children in the state.
Adeleke made known this Tuesday in Abuja in a conference on sustainable school nutrition and childhood nutrition organized by the Auda-NePad in collaboration with the Osun government.
The conference had as the theme “sustainability of O-Meal for the improvement of children’s nutrition in the financing program of the state households of Osun”.
Represented by Prof. Abdulmaruf Adeleke, commissioner for the budget and development of economic planning, Adeleke said that the initiative derived from the need to cultivate well -fed children in preparation for a healthy and brighter future.
“Despite the growing food inflation, the program has achieved thousands of children over the years, despite the evident challenges that afflict its sustainability,” said the governor.
He then requested the support of the interested parties and development partners to improve the O-Meal school feeding program, which began in 2006.
“We want to build a more intelligent pupil of Osun. O-Meal’s sustainability offers the opportunity to invest in the lives of children, women and others in the state.
“Each financial or technical contribution affects children directly, allows a more equitable company and therefore plans to draw a clear roadmap for sustainability and development,” said Adeleke.
Auda-NePad representative, CEO, Agraimi Abubakar, said that over the years the Osun school’s power program has built a healthier and more productive workforce for Nigeria.
“O-meals is a direct and impact translation of these national priorities.
“It is not just facing immediate hunger, but also improves the school drive by its citizens themselves,” he said.
Abubakar has supported strong partnerships with the private sector and a prolonged budget allocation in order to maximize the health benefits of children.
“In Auda-NePad, we commit ourselves to supporting initiatives such as the virtuous cycle of Osun of nutritional improvement and economic lifting,” he said.
At the beginning of his opening observations, the Commissioner for Federal Affairs, Mrs. Nike Adeleke described the event as a celebration of the local success story.
He said that the renewed call was to strengthen, increase and support the initiative to continue modeling the lives of thousands of children and families in the state.
“Since its institution in 2006, the O-meal program has distinguished itself as a lighthouse of consistency and innovation.
“This has made Osun the only sub-national in Nigeria which has maintained an uninterrupted and structured initiative with over 200,000 direct beneficiaries, including schoolchildren,” he added.
The official stated that the event offers opportunities to political managers, technical experts, implementation partners and donor organizations to deliberate on feasible paintings to align the O’Meals program with wider development objectives.
“This includes the objectives of sustainable development (SDG) on zero hunger, quality education and good health and well -being.
“We are here to evaluate the sustainability prospects of the O’Mals program; share the best practices and innovations in school nutrition.
“The event will explore improved strategies to improve childhood nutrition; and to accommodate new partnerships for a wider impact in the state of Osun and ensure that no child is left behind”.
The program were representatives of the Japan International Coeperative Agency (Jaica), the World Food Program (WFP) of the United Nations (WFP) and the deputy head of the mission, the Embassy of Tunisia and the United Arab Emied.
Others were the Senior Special Assistant of the President of the renewed National Food Program of Hope National, Mrs. Yeteunde Adeniji, the Federal Ministry of the Budget and Economic Planning, Technocrats and actors of the private sector.
(Nan)
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