The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to implementing a sustainable national school feeding programme, expressing confidence that the initiative will be fully established before the end of the current administration.
Drivetvnews gathered that She made the remarks on Tuesday while hosting a five-member delegation from the World Bank, led by its Country Director for Nigeria, Dr Matthew Verghis, at the State House in Abuja. The meeting focused on expanding collaboration on Early Childhood Development initiatives across the country.
Mrs Tinubu stressed that investing in children during their formative years is essential for improving their growth, learning abilities and long-term development.
She noted that Nigeria’s large population should be viewed as a national strength and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to programmes that enhance the well-being of citizens.
According to the First Lady, the administration is pursuing a multi-sectoral development strategy that covers education, healthcare, nutrition and environmental sanitation. She cited the government’s tuberculosis awareness campaign as an example of coordinated intervention across sectors.
Speaking on education, she said children remain the nation’s greatest asset and assured Nigerians that the proposed school feeding programme remains a top priority for President Tinubu.
She added that she would continue working with the wives of state governors to implement child-focused programmes aimed at improving the welfare of children nationwide.
Earlier, Verghis described Early Childhood Development as one of the most valuable long-term investments Nigeria could make. He explained that the World Bank’s new five-year partnership framework would prioritise nutrition, education, sanitation and other interventions designed to improve child development.
He emphasised that Nigeria is one of the World Bank’s most significant partners globally and noted that investments in children from pregnancy through the first five years of life can improve cognitive development, lower healthcare costs and help reduce poverty.
Verghis also encouraged the First Lady to continue championing a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to early childhood development, saying Nigeria’s success is crucial to the World Bank’s broader development goals.
