Why Ekiti Embraced FG’S School Feeding Scheme- Fayose
Ekiti State Governor Mr. Ayodele Fayose on Thursday explained why his state has decided to join the league of states of the federation that have keyed into the federal government initiated home grown school feeding programme.
Declaring open a two-day stakeholders’ workshop for the take-off of the programme in Ado Ekiti, Governor Ayodele Fayose said the state had to set aside political differences and support the replication of the scheme in the state.
He premised the decision of the state to support the programme on the fact that it was in tandem with the state’s stomach infrastructure policy.
Fayose, it would be recalled, had played down the possibility of the state participating in the programme, saying it was being politicised and that it was a campaign promise made by the APC during the presidential campaign which must be fulfilled by the party.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, he said that the state opted to be part of the programme after critical assessment by the government’s agencies having realised that it would be of immense benefit to the people of the state.
According to him, “The study revealed the potentials of the programme to improve the nutrition status of the pupils, increase schools’ enrollment and attendance, energise the local economy and empower certain segments of the population.
“Above all, we also noted that it is in tandem with our stomach infrastructure policy. We have decided to set political differences aside and partner with the federal government for the benefit of our pupils. Our participation will be a boost to our efforts to restore the glory of education in our dear state.”
While urging all stakeholders to ensure diligent implementation of the programme, he promised that the state would give all the needed support to actualize “our collective goal of feeding the pupils.”
