The Special Assistant to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State on School Feeding, Dr Fauziya Buhari-Ado, has called on investors in the United States of America to tap into the rich mineral and agricultural resources in the state and also help promote the school feeding initiative in the state.
The governor’s aide made the call at a sideline event of the just concluded United Nations General Assembly event in New York, USA according to a statement she signed on Thursday.
According to a statement on Thursday, during a PowerPoint presentation from the Kaduna State Investment Promotion Agency to showcase the riches and potentials of what the state has to offer, Fauziya urged global investors to see the state as the next investment destination, while highlighting the benefits of the school feeding programme to the underprivileged in Nigeria.
She also called on programme coordinators, global leaders, and investors during the interactive session to partner with the state government in scaling up the school feeding programme within the state and across the country.
She pointed out that the initiative would create opportunities for partnerships with international organizations, NGOs, and private investors who can bring expertise and resources to expand the programme’s reach.
The SSA further explained that the free boarding School Feeding Programme was designed to improve educational outcomes and combat hunger among pupils in the state, revealing that the programme has made a positive impact on children’s lives, while simultaneously driving economic growth in local communities.
Underlining the benefits derivable from the initiative, she noted, “The government offers free three square meals daily to all boarding schools across the state. The majority of the beneficiaries of this program are children of the poor as eighty per cent of our boarding schools are in rural communities.
“This initiative has Increased school Enrollment and Retention, it addresses the children’s nutritional wellbeing. Studies show that well-fed children perform better academically. The success of the program is a result of a well-structured robust framework for monitoring, evaluation and audit.
“While transparency and accountability is the government’s core priority. By introducing sustainable farming practices, there’s an opportunity to create a more resilient agricultural sector, aligning with broader food security and sustainability goals.
“The Kaduna State School Feeding Program has shown that when education and nutrition intersect, it creates a path to long-term social and economic development. We invite you to join us in scaling this initiative, improving the lives of millions of children, and contributing to the growth of the local economy. Together, we can build a brighter future for Africa’s next generation.”
