Lawmakers applaud FG’s plan to begin school feeding programme

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government recently announced that its school feeding programme would begin in September with an estimated 5.5 million school pupils benefitting.

The lawmakers, who made the commendation in interviews with NAN in Lagos, said the programme would begin at the most trying time for many families.

Mr Segun Olulade, representing Epe Constituency II at the Lagos State House Assembly, said: ``School feeding is commendable; it is a programme that all Nigerians have been waiting for.

"It is a dividend of democracy of our party (All Progressives Congress),

"It is a rare opportunity for school children to feed healthily and it will make this government popular.

"I believe that if not for the economic situation that the party met when it came into power, some of these programmes would have started perhaps last year.

"It is a plus for President Muhammadu Buhari to kick-start it this year considering the economic situation in Nigeria today when many families cannot boast of the three square meals’’.

Olulade, Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, added that feeding pupils in school once in a day would go a long way towards alleviating the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

Contributing, Nurudeen Solaja-Saka, representing Ikorodu Constituency II at the Assembly, expressed joy with the implementation, saying it was in fulfillment of the governing APC’s electoral promise.

"It is a very important policy and it is in line with APC's campaign promises. If students are provided with one free meal in schools, it will ginger them to learn more.

"Many students leave their homes in the morning without food and without hope of getting anything to eat while in school.

"There is a limit to what such students can assimilate in the class."

Solaja-Saka, the Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology said: ``The programme will popularise this government’’.

He stressed the need for the programme to cut across party affiliations, saying that all Nigerian pupils should benefit from it.

Also, Mr Olayiwola Olawale (APC-Mushin II), commended Buhari for making good his electoral promise, saying that the electorate had long been expecting its take off.

Olawale, who is Chairman, House Committee on Home Affairs, said: "It is a welcome development. We have been expecting this. Buhari is matching his words with actions.

"It is part of the government’s social responsibility.

"Such a policy will help to advance education. Nigerians should be optimistic. The programme is laudable’’.

In his submission, Mr Setonji David (APC-Badagry II) said that the programme would further boost the reputation of APC as the governing party.

David, the Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, said: "I think the timing is good, the programme is commencing at the beginning of a new academic session.

"We should invest in our children because they are our tomorrow.’’