The Oladele Fajemirokun Foundation has expressed its determination to combat childhood hunger and enhance educational outcomes in Nigeria.
The foundation has rolled out its groundbreaking ‘Early Childhood School Feeding Programme’ that will nourish more than 160 children each day. It noted that the initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing food insecurity among young learners.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative, the Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs Lawumi Fajemirokun, said the programme aims to provide nutritious meals to primary school children, with a specific focus on underserved communities, targeting areas where access to proper nutrition remains a challenge, hindering children’s ability to thrive in their academic pursuits.
Fajemirokun said: “The early childhood school feeding program is one of our vital interventions within the educational sector. While collaborating with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education on implementing a feeding program for pupils from primary 1 onwards, we realized that there’s currently a gap in capturing interventions for children below this age group, particularly those in KG 1 and KG 2 and Nursery.
“It’s crucial for these younger children to receive nutritious meals to enhance cognitive function. By providing meals enriched with essential nutrients, we not only support cognitive development but also improve participation and overall schooling experience.”
By ensuring that children receive nutritious meals during school hours, the Oladele Fajemirokun Foundation aims to break the cycle of hunger and poverty, empowering young students to reach their full potential.
Beyond addressing immediate nutritional needs, the program seeks to foster a conducive learning environment where children can thrive and excel academically
Speaking on the impact of the initiative so far, the program manager of the foundation, Mr Kene Egbue, said: “We’re focused on not only reducing out-of-school rates but also ensuring that children have access to free education and nutritious meals at school.
“This initiative has resulted in a significant increase in student enrollment, with numbers rising by over 15 per cent compared to the previous term. Moreover, we’ve observed a positive shift in student attitudes, with truancy levels gradually decreasing as children become more eager to attend school.
“This is a cause that many stakeholders can rally behind. The foundation is eager to collaborate with more corporate partners to secure the bright future that these children deserve.”
The foundation’s Early Childhood School Feeding Program operates in collaboration with local education authorities and community stakeholders to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability. Through strategic partnerships and grassroots engagement, the foundation aims to expand the reach of the program, reaching more vulnerable children in need.
