Oto Awori flags off school feeding programme, says no child should learn on an empty stomach

Oto Awori Flags Off School Feeding Initiative With Digital Dashboard Launch

The Oto Awori Local Council Development Area, LCDA, on Tuesday flagged off the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme at L.A. Nursery and Primary School 2, Ilobo Elegba, with the launch of the "Adopt A School, Snacks for Thought" initiative and the PBAT Feeds digital dashboard aimed at improving nutrition for public primary school pupils. The programme was organised in partnership with the Lagos State Government and Conference 57 as part of a rollout across the three senatorial districts of Lagos State.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Oto Awori LCDA, Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun, described the initiative as a major investment in the future of Nigerian children, saying no child should be expected to learn on an empty stomach. According to him, the programme is one of the flagship social intervention initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

This initiative is more than a feeding programme; it is an investment. A well-fed child learns better, concentrates longer and dreams bigger. When we remove hunger from the classroom, we unlock potential. That is why in Oto Awori LCDA, we say this is a movement to ensure that no child learns on an empty stomach.

— Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun, Executive Chairman, Oto Awori LCDA

Abiodun disclosed that Oto Awori LCDA was among beneficiaries of the first phase of the programme, which is expected to reach about 30,000 pupils across the 57 local government areas and LCDAs in Lagos State. He explained that although the event was initially planned to accommodate parents and community leaders, heavy rainfall affected attendance, with the exercise set to continue for three days across the council area.

PBAT Feeds Dashboard to Guarantee Transparency and Real-Time Monitoring

The chairman applauded the launch of the PBAT Feeds digital dashboard, describing it as an innovation that would guarantee transparency, accountability and real-time monitoring of the feeding programme.

With real-time monitoring and accountability, we will ensure every child gets the right snacks at the right time with full transparency.

— Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun

He further appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropic bodies, faith-based organisations and individuals to support the programme through the "Adopt A School" initiative, stressing that food security means national security.

"For Less Than $1.50, Anyone Can Help Feed a Child"

In her address, the Executive Director of the National Programme of Home-Grown School Feeding, Dr. Princess Aderemi Adebowale, represented by Mrs. Adedeji Esther, described the initiative as the beginning of a national movement centred on improving children's nutrition and educational outcomes.

When a child goes to school hungry, learning suffers and human capital is weakened. But when we nourish our children, we strengthen education, build productive citizens, grow the economy and secure our national future.

— Dr. Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Executive Director, National Programme of Home-Grown School Feeding

She explained that the "Adopt A School - Snacks for Thought" initiative and digital dashboard would enable individuals, businesses, foundations, development partners and Nigerians to directly support public primary schools while ensuring transparency and accountability, noting that for less than $1.50, anyone can help feed a child and improve learning outcomes. She stressed that governments alone could not address the challenge of child nutrition, calling for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Chairman Pledges Infrastructure Support Beyond the Feeding Programme

In an interview after the event, Abiodun said the programme was being implemented simultaneously across all 57 local government areas and LCDAs in Lagos State. He pledged that his administration would complement the federal initiative by addressing infrastructure deficits in public primary schools within the council.

I have seen one or two challenges in these schools. We are quickly going to attend to them in terms of classrooms, desks, benches and other facilities. What the President has initiated today is what we are going to emulate. We are going to do more to ensure that pupils in our various primary schools get the support they need to concentrate on their studies.

— Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun

Responding to concerns that the programme could be politically motivated, Abiodun insisted that the welfare of children remained the overriding objective.

The important thing is that the child getting this support does not know or care about politics. What we know is that they are members of this country and they need support. They cannot study on an empty stomach. We are doing this for the purpose of humanity.

— Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun

Also speaking, the Supervisor for Education and Library Services, Comrade Adeniyi Jelili, commended President Tinubu for initiating the programme and expressed optimism that it would continue beyond the initial three-day rollout. The House Committee Chairman on Education, Salami Bashir Akeyele, described the initiative as a welcome development, assuring that the legislative arm of the council would provide all necessary support required to sustain the programme. The event concluded with volunteers commencing the distribution of snacks to pupils.

Children fed, dashboard launched, snacks distributed. A genuinely good thing. No jokes here.