The Nigerian Government has disclosed that plans are underway to conduct headcounts of Almajiris in the country and enroll them into the homegrown school feeding programme, to address and curb illiteracy level
Penpushing reports that a statement by Special Assistant to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Schools Feeding Mr. Oyedokun Oyewumi said this was made known during a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.
The statement added that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Schools Feeding Dr. Yetunde Adeniji explained that the program targets children in public schools, adding that her office is open to suggestions.
Penpushing further reports that she said her interactions with relevant authorities demonstrates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare and educational opportunities for children through the school feeding program, with a focus on incorporating marginalized groups, such as the Almajiris.
The Governor in his own remarks during called on the Nigerian government to make it a priority to include Almajiris in the home-grown school feeding plan recognizing the efforts of the Senior Special Assistant to bring about reforms that would ensure the success of the schools feeding program.
Penpushing also reports that the Sule appealed to the Special Assistant to the President on Schools Feeding to provide an improved livelihood for the almajiris, adding that this will eradicate child destitution and remove beggars from the streets.
‘The incorporation of the Almajiri, a group of traditionally itinerant Islamic students, into the program would help in taking them off the streets and provide them with proper nutrition and education”, he added.
Penpushing reports that the Governor assured his guest of Nasarawa State Government’s support in achieving the objectives of the program, calling for collaboration with Northern States, relevant institutions, conduct a census of Almajiri schools and headcount of the destitute children with the view to enrolling them in the ongoing National Home-grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP)
“We call on the Office of the SSA to, in collaboration with Northern States, relevant institutions, conduct a census of Almajiri schools and headcount of the destitute children with the view to enrolling them in the ongoing National Home-grown School Feeding Programme’, he said
Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani earlier in the week commended the Senior Special Assistant on her proactive methods in getting familiar with institutions and states that will add to the success of the programme.
The Governor equally said that the Kaduna state government would partner with the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Schools Feeding to ensure success of the programme when it begins, with a view to improve the nutrition value of the children.
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