The Federal Capital Territory Administration, has taken steps to strengthen community participation in the implementation of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) in the FCT.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, during an interactive session with stakeholders of the HGSFP across the six area councils of the FCT.
Mahmoud, represented by Hajia Maijidda Kuku, the FCT Focal Person on Social Investment Programme (SIP), described the school feeding programme as a “catalyst” for local agricultural development.
According to her, the programme relies on locally sourced agricultural produce, thereby empowering local farmers and strengthening rural economy.
The minister explained that the aim of the interactive session was to reflect on the successes, address challenges, and chart a sustainable path forward.
She said that the FCT Administration would continue to do its best within available resources to facilitate the effective operation of the programme through regular stakeholders’ interactive sessions.
“This will help to strengthen the operations and community participation in the implementation of the programme,” she said.
Mahmoud stressed that the Administration would ensure that no school was left behind in the implementation of the programme.
She commended government officials, school administrators, community leaders, farmers, cooks, and development partners, for their invaluable contributions to the success of the programme.
She called on stakeholders to bring innovative ideas and practical solutions that would improve the implementation of the programme.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding Programme, Dr Yetunde Adeniyi, explained that the programme was designed to provide nutritious meals to school children.
This, she said, would boost school enrolment, and enhance learning outcomes.
Adeniyi said that the programme had so far led to increased school attendance and retention in public schools across the country.
On her part, the Operation Officer of the programme in FCT, Hauwa Abubakar, said that the dialogue was organised to get the buy-in of community members for better service delivery.
“This, in the long run, will increase transparency and accountability of the programme and ensure proper linkage with other empowerment programmes in the FCT.
In her remarks, a representative of the World Food Programme, Agnes Mungatia, identified collaboration among stakeholders as key to the success of the school feeding programme.
