By Esther Onyegbula

The Oto Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Tuesday flagged off the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, with the launch of the “Adopt A School, Snacks for Thought” initiative and its PBAT Feeds digital dashboard aimed at improving nutrition for public primary school pupils.

The programme, held at L.A. Nursery and Primary School 2, Ilobo Elegba, was organised in partnership with the Lagos State Government and Conference 57 as part of the rollout of the initiative across the three senatorial districts of Lagos State.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Oto Awori LCDA, Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun, described the initiative as a major investment in the future of Nigerian children, saying no child should be expected to learn on an empty stomach.
According to him, the programme is one of the flagship social intervention initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I want to begin by extending our profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Through his leadership, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is being repositioned to directly touch the lives of our children,” he said.

Abiodun explained that although the event was initially planned to accommodate parents and community leaders, the heavy rainfall affected attendance.
He noted, however, that the exercise would continue for three days across the council area.

The chairman disclosed that Oto Awori LCDA was among beneficiaries of the first phase of the programme, which is expected to reach about 30,000 pupils across the 57 local government areas and local council development areas in Lagos State.

“This initiative is more than a feeding programme; it is an investment. A well-fed child learns better, concentrates longer and dreams bigger. When we remove hunger from the classroom, we unlock potential.
“That is why in Oto Awori LCDA, we say this is a movement to ensure that no child learns on an empty stomach,” he stated.

Abiodun also applauded the launch of the PBAT Feeds digital dashboard, describing it as an innovation that would guarantee transparency, accountability and real-time monitoring of the feeding programme.

“I also applaud the innovation of the PBAT Feeds digital dashboard launching today. With real-time monitoring and accountability, we will ensure every child gets the right snacks at the right time with full transparency,” he said.

He further appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropic bodies, faith-based organisations and individuals to support the programme through the “Adopt A School” initiative.
“Food security means national security. Every child matters,” he added.

In her address, the Executive Director of the National Programme of Home-Grown School Feeding, Dr. Princess Aderemi Adebowale, represented by Mrs. Adedeji Esther, described the initiative as the beginning of a national movement centred on improving children’s nutrition and educational outcomes.
According to the speech delivered on her behalf, the initiative is founded on the principle that “food security meets national security.”

“When a child goes to school hungry, learning suffers and human capital is weakened. But when we nourish our children, we strengthen education, build productive citizens, grow the economy and secure our national future,” she said.

She explained that the “Adopt A School – Snacks for Thought” initiative and digital dashboard would enable individuals, businesses, foundations, development partners and Nigerians to directly support public primary schools while ensuring transparency and accountability.

“For less than $1.50, anyone can help feed a child, improve learning and give hope. Every small contribution can make a lifelong difference,” she added.
She stressed that governments alone could not address the challenge of child nutrition, calling for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“Together, we can ensure that no child is left on an empty stomach. Let us build human capital. Let us strengthen our nation because when we invest in our children, we invest in Nigeria’s future,” she said.

In an interview after the event, Abiodun said the programme was being implemented simultaneously across all the 57 local government areas and LCDAs in Lagos State.
He also pledged that his administration would complement the federal initiative by addressing infrastructure deficits in public primary schools within the council.

“I have seen one or two challenges in these schools. We are quickly going to attend to them in terms of classrooms, desks, benches and other facilities.
“What the President has initiated today is what we are going to emulate. We are going to do more to ensure that pupils in our various primary schools get the support they need to concentrate on their studies,” he said.

On the “Adopt A School” initiative, the chairman appealed to wealthy individuals and corporate organisations to partner with government in supporting vulnerable pupils.
“It might be individuals, it might be corporate organisations. As long as you have the capacity, it is a way of giving back to society. We cannot do everything alone. We need their support,” he said.

Responding to concerns that the programme could be politically motivated, Abiodun insisted that the welfare of children remained the overriding objective.
“The important thing is that the child getting this support does not know or care about politics. What we know is that they are members of this country and they need support.

“They cannot study on an empty stomach. We are doing this for the purpose of humanity,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Supervisor for Education and Library Services, Comrade Adeniyi Jelili, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating the programme and expressed optimism that it would continue beyond the initial three-day rollout.

“This cannot be political because we do not know the political affiliations of these children. What is important is that they have food to enable them learn effectively.

“By the grace of God, it is going to be a continuous programme. We are only kick-starting it today,” he said.

Similarly, the House Committee Chairman on Education, Salami Bashir Akeyele, described the initiative as a welcome development for the country’s future, assuring that the legislative arm of the council would support its sustainability.
“The event is good for our children and good for the future of our country. It shows that the President is concerned about every Nigerian child.
“We at the legislature will provide all the necessary support required by the Chairman to sustain this laudable programme,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Press Secretary of Oto Awori LCDA, Ayomide Boudunrin, introduced dignitaries at the event, including the Vice Chairman, Hon. Moses Olabisi Aina; the Chairperson, Alhaja Basirat Kareem; the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Audu Sulaimon Awoyemi; the Secretary to the LCDA, Hon. Ajose Tokunbo; the Council Manager, Mrs. Welu Olamide; representatives of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, school administrators and other council officials.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Wale Koka, who urged pupils to reciprocate the government’s gesture by taking their studies seriously and shunning social vices before volunteers commenced the distribution of snacks to the pupils.