Oto-Awori LCDA Launches ‘PBAT Feeds’ School Feeding Initiative, Backs Nationwide Drive Against Classroom Hunger.
……Hon Kareem Pledges More Support for Public Schools as Stakeholders Call for Adoption of Schools.
Emmanuel Ikpeama.
The Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has joined the nationwide rollout of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme with the official launch of the “Adopt A School – Snacks for Thought (PBAT Feeds)” initiative and its digital monitoring dashboard, reaffirming government’s commitment to improving child nutrition, learning outcomes and educational development.
The programme, held at L.A. Nursery and Primary School 2, Ilobo-Elegba, Oto-Awori LCDA, was organised through a partnership between the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, the Lagos State Government, and Conference 57, with simultaneous launches taking place across the three senatorial districts and the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State.
The event attracted government officials, education stakeholders, council executives, legislators, school administrators, and representatives of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori LCDA, Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun, described the initiative as a landmark intervention aimed at ensuring that no child is forced to learn on an empty stomach.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for placing children’s welfare at the centre of national development through the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the programme goes beyond providing meals to investing in the future of Nigerian children.
According to him, the initiative represents a significant investment in education, human capital development and national growth.
“A well-fed child learns better, concentrates longer and dreams bigger. When we remove hunger from the classroom, we unlock the enormous potential in every child.
This is why we see this programme as a movement to ensure that no child in Oto-Awori learns on an empty stomach,” he said
The chairman also applauded the Lagos State Government and Conference 57 for aligning with the Federal Government to implement the initiative across the state.
He further praised the introduction of the PBAT Feeds Digital Dashboard, describing it as an innovative accountability tool that will ensure transparency, real-time monitoring and efficient delivery of meals to schools.
Hon. Kareem appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists, faith-based organisations and well-meaning individuals to embrace the “Adopt A School” initiative by supporting public primary schools with nutritious snacks for pupils.
He stressed that government alone cannot meet all the needs of the education sector and called on stakeholders to contribute towards securing the future of Nigerian children.
Representing the National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Dr. Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Mrs. Esther Adedeji described the launch as the beginning of a national movement aimed at combating classroom hunger.
She said the programme was founded on the principle that food security is national security, explaining that children who attend school hungry are unable to realise their full learning potential.
According to her, the “Adopt A School – Snacks for Thought” initiative provides an opportunity for individuals, businesses, foundations, development partners and Nigerians in the diaspora to directly support public primary schools while ensuring accountability through the digital dashboard.
She noted that even modest contributions could significantly improve children’s nutrition, school attendance and academic performance.
The representative added that collaboration among governments, private organisations and communities remains critical to building stronger human capital and securing Nigeria’s future.
Among the dignitaries at the event, include the Vice Chairman, Hon. Moses Olabisi Aina; the Council Chairperson, Alhaja Basirat Kareem; the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Audu Sulaimon Awoyemi; the Council Secretary, Hon. Ajose Tokunbo; the Council Manager, Mrs. Welu Olamide; councillors, supervisors, the Chief of Staff, school administrators and officials of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
Delivering the vote of thanks,the HOD Education ,Mr Wale Koka appreciated President Tinubu for initiating what he described as a life-changing programme for schoolchildren across Nigeria.
He urged pupils to reciprocate government’s support by remaining focused on their education and avoiding social vices while also commending the Oto-Awori LCDA administration for prioritising educational development.
Following the official launch, volunteers distributed nutritious snacks to pupils as part of the pilot phase of the programme.
Speaking with journalists after the event, Hon. Kareem disclosed that the school feeding exercise was taking place simultaneously across all 57 local governments and LCDAs in Lagos State.
He pledged that Oto-Awori LCDA would complement the Federal Government’s efforts by addressing infrastructure challenges in public schools, including the provision of classrooms, desks and other learning facilities.
The council chairman maintained that the school feeding programme was designed purely to improve children’s welfare and educational outcomes, dismissing suggestions that it was politically motivated.
“We are doing this for humanity. The important thing is that every child, irrespective of background or political affiliation, has the opportunity to study with a full stomach. That is what truly matters,” he said.
Also speaking, the Supervisor for Education and Library Services, Comrade Adeniyi Jelili, said the initiative would be implemented across schools within the LCDA, expressing optimism that it would become a continuous programme.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education in
Oto-Awori LCDA, Hon. Salami Bashir Akeyele, described the initiative as a welcome development that would positively impact children’s education and national development.
He assured residents that the legislative arm would continue to support the Executive Chairman to ensure the sustainability of the programme across the council area.
The launch marks another step in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen school feeding, improve enrolment and retention in public schools, and mobilise community participation in the education sector through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
