Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on School Feeding, addressed a distinguished gathering on Tuesday at the Transitional Learning Center in Wassa. The occasion was marked by a deep sense of pride and gratitude for the opportunity to witness firsthand the commendable efforts of organizations such as Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation, in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.
The gathering held a unified purpose: to oversee and assess the critical school feeding program deployed in this displaced setting. Dr. Adeniji emphasized the paramount importance of education and nutrition in the comprehensive development of every child, irrespective of their circumstances. She affirmed that initiatives of this nature hold the power to effect substantial positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable citizens.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the nation is exemplified by the Renewed Hope agenda. Within this framework, a vision is cast for a Nigeria wherein every child enjoys access to quality education and nutritious sustenance, regardless of their background or geographical location. Dr. Adeniji articulated that by investing in the youth today, a brighter and more prosperous future is being forged for the nation.
The school feeding program stands as a transformative force in realizing this vision. Beyond its immediate impact on addressing childhood nutrition, it serves as an incentive for families to prioritize education. Dr. Adeniji commended the program for its demonstrable success in bolstering school enrollment and attendance rates, thereby becoming an instrumental force in the advancement of education, the alleviation of hunger, and the dismantling of the cycle of poverty.
The enduring success of this program is contingent not solely on government efforts, but also on the support and participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Their dedication, expertise, and partnership are viewed as invaluable in ensuring the longevity and expansion of vital programs like the school feeding initiative.
In her address, Dr. Adeniji called upon CSOs nationwide to emulate and support the Renewed Hope agenda championed by the President. She exhorted them to join hands with organizations such as Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, and the government, as together they strive to positively transform the lives of Nigeria’s youth. The call resonated with the sentiment that no child should be left behind, and that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish and contribute to the nation’s development.
In her concluding remarks, Dr. Adeniji extended profound gratitude to Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, and other CSOs like Plane, UNESCO, and various stakeholders who have contributed to this noble endeavor. Their steadfast commitment to education and nutrition serves as an inspiration for all involved. Dr. Adeniji closed with a call for continued collaboration, innovation, and mutual encouragement as they collectively advance towards a future imbued with hope and progress.