We Serve 20 million Free Meal to School Children Every Year- Kaduna Govt says

The Kaduna State Government has disclosed that it allocates N4 billion annually to feed schoolchildren across the state, as part of its strategy to reduce the number of out-of-school children.

Dr. Fauziya Buhari-Ado, the Governor’s Special Assistant on School Feeding, revealed this information in a press statement on Sunday.

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"No fewer than 25,000 students in 51 boarding schools across the 23 local government areas benefit from the programme since the feeding cost was improved from N540 per child per day to N700 naira per child per day, translating to about N4bn annual spending," Dr. Buhari-Ado revealed.

She underscored that the initiative has not only enhanced school enrollment and daily attendance rates but has also had a positive impact on the local economy. Emphasizing the government's commitment to upholding menu guidelines, food quality, quantity, hygiene standards, and timely service delivery, she noted that the state government had saved millions of naira due to the verification of the beneficiaries of the programme in an open and transparent manner.

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"In these challenging times, our schools have become beacons of hope and safety for our children. The school feeding programme has relieved parents of the burden of providing for their children’s basic needs, ensuring that no child goes hungry," Dr. Buhari-Ado stated.

She continued, "This act alone sends a powerful signal that Kaduna State stands as one, united people. Our children come from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, yet they thrive as one, sleeping together, eating together, and studying together with no differences. This unity is the cornerstone of our strength as a state, and it is exemplified through initiatives like the school feeding program."

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Furthermore, Dr. Buhari-Ado highlighted the economic benefits of the programme, citing its role in creating opportunities for local food vendors and suppliers and stimulating growth in local economies

. "Kaduna State stands tall amongst all states, as we proudly boast of providing free meals to our future leaders. This translates to about 20 million free meals served yearly," she concluded.