Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has renewed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the O-Meal School Feeding Programme, which began in 2006.
The governor also appealed to stakeholders and development partners for increased support, emphasising the importance of improving the nutritional health status of school pupils across the state.
In a statement on Thursday by the governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke made the call during a stakeholders’ conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, themed: “Sustainability of O-Meal for Improved Children Nutrition in Osun State Homegrown School Feeding Programme.”
The programme, implemented in partnership with the Osun State Government and the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development, is aimed at enhancing child nutrition through homegrown food initiatives.
Represented by the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development, Professor Abdulmaruf Adeleke, the governor reaffirmed that, beyond creating a conducive learning environment, sustaining the programme is essential for nurturing well-fed children, thereby securing a healthier and more promising future for the state.
Despite the current challenge of rising food inflation, Governor Adeleke said the programme—having reached thousands of children over the years—continues to scale up its efforts.
He therefore urged development partners, donor agencies, and philanthropists to collaborate with the state government in its drive to empower and develop Osun children.
Speaking on behalf of AUDA-NEPAD’s CEO, Agymi Abubakar, commended Osun’s commitment to the Homegrown School Feeding Programme, which has led to increased school enrollment and a healthier, more productive workforce.
He further advocated stronger partnerships with the private sector and consistent budgetary allocations to maximise the programme’s health and economic benefits.
