Alternate School Feeding Programme will equip children with skills – Minister

Plans are underway by the Nigerian Government to equip children with the requisite skills to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq disclosed this in Abuja, at a meeting of the Steering Committe on the Alternate School Feeding Programme.

She said the Alternate School Programme possesses the potential for every child to gain access to quality education.

According to her, the Humanitarian Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Education has spent the last few weeks in engagement with various stakeholders, in a bid to refine and strengthen the ASP Concept towards successful implementation of the programme.

“For it is upon this foundation that we can begin to erect necessary building blocks. I am pleased with the outcome of these engagements and I hope that the National Steering Committee is able to quickly adopt and ratify the Concept Note to enable us forge ahead as swiftly as possible” the Minister said.

The Minister, however, reminded Nigerians that leadership and strategic direction remain critical to ensuring that this laudable concept can be brought to fruition.

She emphasised that the success of the Alternate School Programme will rely largely on inter-ministerial collaboration and effective stakeholder engagement.

The Minister urged all stakehders to remain committed to the cause for a successful outcome.

Emmanuel Ukoh