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House of Representatives Urges Government to Revisit Suspended School Feeding Program
The House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to revisit the suspended National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), which was halted due to various controversies. Launched in 2004 and expanded in 2016, the NHGSFP aimed to provide nutritious meals to public primary school pupils, improve health, boost agricultural production, and support smallholder farmers.
On January 12, 2024, President Bola Tinubu suspended all National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) initiatives, including the NHGSFP, for six weeks. This suspension has raised concerns about reduced school enrollment, compromised children’s health and cognitive development, and disrupted farmers’ income.
The House, following a motion by Mr. Muktar Zakari of the Tarauni Federal Constituency, mandated its Committees on Special Duties and Finance to engage relevant ministers in finding solutions for the program’s future success. Zakari emphasized the NHGSFP’s role in encouraging school enrollment, addressing childhood hunger, and improving school attendance. He warned that suspension of the program could lead to more out-of-school children, increased crime, insecurity, and unemployment, advocating for alternative solutions or better implementation to maintain its benefits for Nigerian children.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that his administration’s economic reforms have helped stabilise Nigeria’s economy and placed the country on a path toward steady growth.
He said “My reforms have stabilised Nigeria’s economy and put it on a path of steady growth.”
The President added that the reforms are creating more opportunities for development across the country.
However, many Nigerians reacted online, with some questioning the impact of the reforms and saying they have yet to experience the positive effects.
Nigerian politician and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said that he is aware many civil servants do not like him.
He shared that he understands why he is unpopular among some civil servants, explaining that funds previously spent on unnecessary conferences are now being redirected to road construction projects.
He said “Some people say conferences for corruption and I say what is that? You are going for conferences to do what? These are ways government funds are being diverted. I say put this money in this road here and the people will get the impact.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reacted to rumours claiming it has approved Adire as the new fabric for the NYSC uniform.
It can be recalled that the Federal Government recently announced plans to review the NYSC uniform, which sparked speculation online that Adire had already been selected as its replacement.
However, the government has clarified that no final decision has been made regarding the new uniform.
“I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.”
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