The Kano State government has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing social development initiatives and reinforcing the education sector to foster human capital growth.
Governor Abba Yusuf made this commitment on Tuesday while launching a pilot school feeding initiative dubbed ‘Snacks for Thought,’ as part of the federal government’s National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) at Nasarawa Primary School in Kano.
Represented by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Adamu Kibiya, Mr Yusuf stated that the programme exemplifies the administration’s emphasis on education, youth empowerment, and social welfare.
He noted that Kano State was a pioneer in school feeding programmes during the tenure of Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, highlighting that the current administration is building upon this foundation.
“This legacy established by our predecessor is in strong alignment with this administration’s commitment to education, youth development, and social welfare, which are fundamental pillars of our human capital development strategy,” the governor remarked.
He assured stakeholders of the programme’s transparency, accountability, and sustainability, indicating that it would be expanded to additional schools following an impact assessment.
Mr Yusuf expressed gratitude to the federal government for selecting Kano as one of the pilot beneficiaries and commended development partners, private sector representatives, and community stakeholders for their collaboration.
Additionally, the Commissioner for Education, Ali Makoda, represented by the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Yusha’u Hamza, described the initiative as a strategic move to enhance access to quality education and diminish school dropout rates.
“By providing nutritious snacks to pupils, we are not merely satisfying their hunger for motivation but nurturing learning and hope for the future,” Mr Makoda stated.
He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to executing the Education Emergency Recovery Plan alongside other reforms aimed at revitalising the education sector.
In his address, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yakubu Kofar-Mata, explained that the pilot scheme is part of the government’s broader efforts to promote child education and alleviate poverty.
He praised the support from the Kano State government in ensuring the successful implementation of the programme, noting that further intervention initiatives are being planned to enhance primary education across the nation.
Similarly, the programme manager of NHGSFP, Aderemi Adebowale, clarified that the ‘Snacks for Thought’ pilot scheme would commence in selected public primary schools before a full-scale rollout.
Stakeholders present at the event expressed their support for the project, describing it as a significant step towards improving school enrolment, retention, and learning outcomes throughout the state.
(NAN)
