Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna state, has launched a free school feeding programme in public primary schools in the state. Leadersip reports that the flag off took place at LGEA Primary Schoolin Aliyu Makama Barnawa-Kaduna, Kaduna South local government area, on Monday, January 18.

In his speech, El-Rufai explained that the school feeding programme will provide one meal per day to 1.5 million pupils in public primary schools.

“It is an unprecedented undertaking in this state, but one that we solemnly pledged to do when we were campaigning,” he added.

El-Rufai expressed gratitude to the vice-president’s office for providing technical support and the commitment to reimburse the state government up to 60% of the cost of the school feeding programme.

The governor further noted that the school feeding programme would create 17, 000 jobs for catering vendors, each of whom will need to employ workers to help them deliver food to the pupils.

While some Nigerians commended the governor for launching the programme, others called on him to pay salaries and allowances to children’s parents in time. Earlier this month, El-Rufai gave 30 female students in the state scholarship awards to study medical courses in Uganda. The governor’s aim was to encourage girl-child education by enhancing access to educational opportunities.

Source: Naij