Niger State Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Hannatu Jibrin Salihu, has reiterated the State government’s commitment to improving the quality of School feeding program in all the Boarding Schools in the state.
The Commissioner stated this at the flag- off ceremony for the distribution of complementary Ramadan feeding to boarding Schools held at Maryam Babangida Girld Science College Minna On Friday, 15TH April 2022.
She explained that the complementary Ramadan feeding programme remains an important intervention of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s administration in providing succour to the Students especially in this holy month, saying that the choice of the meal is aimed at improving the health and educational outcomes of public boarding Schools in the state.
Hajiya Hannatu Jibrin Salihu said all the 25 operational boarding Schools and 3 integrated Quranic Education (IQE) are benefitting from the programme, adding that the gesture will significantly increase School enrollment in the State.
She therefore urged the Principals to make sure the items are judiciously utilized as the Ministry has put in place a proper monitoring mechanism to ensure effective use of the items collected by the Principals.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner has directed that all the Principals should prepare a special meal on Monday for the Students observing Easter in order to put smile on their faces and to also feel at home as they will be observing the Easter in the School.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Doctor Abdullahi Usman Imam, applauded the effort of the Governor, Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello, for the initiative despite the lean resources, pointing out that one of the best ways of fighting hunger and preventing malnutrition among children is to provide them with a healthy School meal.
In their various submissions, the principals, and the benefitting Students as well as the P.TA chairman who spoke at the event appreciated the State Government and the Commissioner for the kind gesture, assuring that the items will be used for the purpose it was meant for without any compromise.
The items distributed include Sugar, Eggs, Peak milk and bread as such every child is entitled to each of the meal on daily basis.
The high point of the occasion was a symbolic presentation of the items to some Students by the Commissioner flanked by their Principals.