Amal Outreach, a non-governmental organization dedicated to community empowerment through healthcare and social development, has called upon the Federal Government to prioritize children’s nutrition in the nation to ensure their optimal growth and well-being.
Furthermore, the NGO urged the government to enhance the school feeding program to encompass more children, as many parents are struggling to provide their children with adequate nutrition due to the prevailing economic challenges.
Aishah Alli-Oluwafuyi, the Programme Manager at Amal Outreach, emphasized the importance of expanding the school feeding initiative, particularly for youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds who are grappling with poverty and food insecurity in the country.
During a health talk and recreational activities organized by the NGO, in partnership with UAC Foods, for selected primary schools in Lagos to commemorate Children’s Day under the theme “Investing in our Future means investing in our Children,” Alli-Oluwafuyi spoke on the necessity of prioritizing childhood nutrition.
Several schools including Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Tinubu Methodist Primary School, and Ebute Elephant Primary School in Lagos Island were involved in the event.
According to Alli-Oluwafuyi, school feeding programs in certain states have not only boosted school attendance but also provided nutritional advantages to the pupils.
Initiated in 2016 as part of the N500 billion funded Social Investment Programme by the Federal Government, the school feeding program, supported by state governments, strives to ensure over 24 million school children receive meals collectively, thereby becoming the largest program of its kind in Africa. The objectives of the program encompass poverty alleviation and enhancing the health and education of children and other vulnerable demographics.
In order to enhance the school feeding program, Alli-Oluwafuyi recommended that the government could improve the quantity and quality of food distributed to students by subsidizing food products sold in school cafeterias.
“These shops can sell fruits and vegetables to parents and the children in the schools. Government should ensure that policies that support children’s development are followed through proper monitoring” she stated.
The program manager urged parents to explore affordable options for providing their children with nutritious food, emphasizing that economic challenges should not come at the cost of their children’s health and well-being.
Alli-Oluwafuyi explained, “While things are difficult, there are always alternatives. We do not compromise on quality because of prices.
For instance, if a child needs fruits and vegetables.
“You don’t have to buy avocados for them if you cannot afford them. Ugu is a very good vegetable, green, all of those things can be included in their diet every single day.
“For children, many times, prevention is better than cure and because they are just growing, their immune system is also growing. You need to focus on their nutrition because now is the stage to focus on healthy eating.”
Mrs. Lucky Goodness Akudo, representing UAC Foods, encouraged children to prioritize their health by eating nutritious food, engaging in physical activity, and getting adequate sleep.
She also emphasized the importance of taking their education seriously, staying focused, and speaking up when they need help. Additionally, she stressed the need to create a supportive environment that allows children to grow and thrive from a young age.
“Parents should stay on guard because 98 per cent of training comes from parents, hence, the need for them to pay more attention to the children.”
Mr. Dumnoye Adebayo Rilwani, a teacher, praised the program for its positive impact, noting that students learned valuable lessons on hand and personal hygiene, as well as proper nutrition. He expressed gratitude to Amal Outreach for organizing the event, which included treats like gala snacks and supreme ice cream for the students.
