We will not compromise nutrition for school children- Gov Jibrilla Bindow

Tom Garba, Yola

A two day workshop for the commencement of Federal government school feeding program for pupils of primary one to three, has began in Yola.

Adamawa state governor, Sen Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla Bindow, who declared the workshop open at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Yola, directed all agencies and government departments responsible for the implementation of the program, to ensure transparency, dedication and faithfulness.

The governor explained that those who are capable, irrespective of religious and political inclination, be engaged to ensure smooth commencement and sustainability of the program in Adamawa state.

He stressed that the school feeding program is part of the social intervention program of the Buhari led administration, which is in line with the mission of APC to better the lives of Nigerians.

Senator Jibrilla assured of government’s commitment to the program adding that feeding of pupils from class four to six would be in the second phase of the program.

While reiterating state government’s commitment for its success, the governor explained that his administration is transparent and accountable to the people of the state.

In a remark, Secretary to the State Government, Doctor Umar Buba Bindir said the state government has provided the needed infrastructure for the success of the program under the state of emergency declared by government.

He disclosed that government will come up with a legislation that will prosecute and jail every parent who is found guilty of depriving his child education.

Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abba Jimeta said the commencement of the school feeding will promote school enrollment while parents will also be empowered to improve on their economic wellbeing.

He pointed out that each child will be served one meal, worth seventy naira and called on parent to be vigilant for the overall success of the program.

Commissioner of Education, Mr. Julius Kadala, in a good will message said the state government is ready for the implementation of the program considering the initial declaration of state of emergency in the education sector, where more than five schools have, so far, been completely renovated.

He explained that government has also provided more that twenty thousand desk and tables while twenty thousand assorted text books have also been provided to schools across the state.

The commissioner said one thousand nine hundred and forty one schools will benefit from the schools feeding program adding that forty other schools are undergoing renovation.

In his remark, Adamawa state focal person on social intervention, retired Commander Usman Sali Bodes, who commended the federal government over the initiative, said the initiative is in tandem with Bindow for social change agenda and is coming at a time when attention of the state government is focused more on the education sector.

National Coordinator of the School Feeding Program, Mrs. Adesanmi Abimbola, said the program is designed to tackle poverty and increase schools enrollment as well as reduce hunger and create job opportunities in the country.

The program in Adamawa is in collaboration with the office of Special Adviser to the president on social investment program, which targets Fifty point five million children nationwide.