SANWO-OLU FLAGS OFF PBAT FEEDS "SNACKS FOR THOUGHT" PROGRAMME, URGES PRIVATE SECTOR TO ADOPT PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has flagged off the pilot phase of the Adopt-A-School PBAT Feeds Programme, "Snacks for Thought," at Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, reiterating that no child should learn on an empty stomach.
Describing the initiative as a transformative partnership, the Governor said it would improve children's nutrition, enhance learning outcomes and strengthen human capital development.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. 'Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State was honoured to host the pilot phase of the landmark initiative under the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme. She noted that the programme reflects the shared commitment of the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and the private sector to securing a brighter future for Nigerian children.
He said the initiative is more than a school feeding programme but a movement founded on the belief that no child should be denied the opportunity to learn because of hunger and that every stakeholder has a responsibility to invest in the nation's future through its children.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and commitment to policies that prioritise education, nutrition and human capital development under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He also acknowledged the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her unwavering advocacy for children, women and vulnerable groups.
He stated that children who receive nutritious meals are more likely to attend school regularly, participate actively in class and realise their full potential. He added that the initiative would also stimulate local economic growth by creating opportunities for farmers, food processors, caterers and other small businesses through local food sourcing, thereby strengthening value chains while supporting education.
Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed that education and human capital development remain central to the Lagos State Government's THEMES+ Agenda, highlighting sustained investments in modern classrooms, teacher development, digital learning infrastructure, school health programmes and improved learning environments.
He called on corporate organisations, financial institutions, professional bodies, charitable foundations, faith-based organisations, alumni associations and well-meaning individuals to see the programme as a strategic investment in the future workforce, productivity and prosperity of Lagos State and Nigeria. He appealed to them to embrace the Adopt-A-School initiative by partnering with public primary schools across the state. He also expressed optimism that every public primary school in Lagos State would eventually have a committed partner.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also described the newly introduced Adopt-A-School Dashboard as a game-changing innovation that promotes transparency, accountability and public confidence by enabling sponsors to identify schools, monitor implementation and track the impact of their interventions in real time.
He appealed to organisations and individuals to register on the platform by scanning the programme's QR Code, adopt schools and actively monitor the impact of their support on pupils' lives.
The Governor assured prospective partners of the Lagos State Government's commitment to providing an enabling environment, strengthening accountability and ensuring that every genuine partnership delivers measurable benefits for children. He disclosed that relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies had been directed to work closely with programme coordinators and actively engage with the digital dashboard.
He encouraged the pupils to remain focused, disciplined and hopeful, reminding them that their present circumstances do not define their future, and that among them are future doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, governors and presidents. He also commended teachers and parents for their unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation, noting that the values they instil today will shape the Nigeria of tomorrow.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the Community Impact Award to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in recognition of his visionary leadership, unwavering commitment and steadfast support for the Adopt-A-School Programme/PBAT Feeds Programme, "Snacks for Thought," which continues to promote improved access to nutrition and quality education for schoolchildren.
The event also featured the unveiling of the Adopt-A-School Dashboard and a live demonstration of the School Adoption Platform, showcasing its technology-driven transparency and accountability framework. The platform enables individuals, corporate organisations and development partners to identify public primary schools, adopt them, monitor implementation and track the impact of their interventions in real time.
The launch marked the opening of a national gateway for collective action, inviting governments, businesses, development partners and well-meaning Nigerians to work together to ensure that no child learns on an empty stomach in public schools across Lagos State and, ultimately, across Nigeria.
More photos below.
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