The Federal Government has said plans are underway to conduct head counts of Almajiris in the country and enroll them into the home-grown school feeding programme by the present administration.
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Schools Feeding, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, revealed this during a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Nasarawa state, Abdullahi A. Sule, in Lafia, the State capital.
A statement issued by Special Assistant to the SSA, Oyedokun Oyewumi indicated that the programme targets children in public schools, adding that her office is open to suggestions.
She said her interactions with relevant authorities demonstrates President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare and educational opportunities for children through the school feeding programme, with a focus on incorporating marginalised groups, such as the Almajiris.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Sule called on the Federal Government to make it a priority to include Almajiris in the home-grown school feeding plan.
He recognised the efforts of the SSA to bring about reforms that would ensure the success of the schools feeding programme and appealed to him to provide an improved livelihood for the almajiris, adding that this would eradicate child destitution and remove beggars from the streets.
The Governor assured Dr. Adeniji of Nasarawa State Government’s support in achieving the objectives of the programme.
