President Buhari To Give Primary School Pupils Free Meals

Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would soon commence giving primary school children free meals.

The vice president said the free feeding scheme was a core project of the Federal Government that would in turn yield about 1.14 million jobs and increase in food production.

Osinbajo said this at the 45th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja. He said the government would be investing more in the people, education and job creation.

Speaking on the topic “Repositioning Nigeria for Sustainable Development: From Rhetoric to Performance,” Osinbajo said that the multiplier effects of the introduction of the school feeding scheme would help to create 1.14 million new jobs; increase food production by up to 530,000 metric tonnes per annum, as well as attract fresh investments up to N980bn. He said, 

“One of the most important interventions required in the education sector is capacity building to improve teacher quality. 

“This program is intended to drive teachers’ capacity development; boost basic education; attract talents to the teaching profession. Better educated population increases economic potential for productivity.” 

“The All Progressives Congress has made a commitment to provide one-meal-a-day for all primary school students; that would create jobs in agriculture, including poultry, catering and delivery services.” 

The vice president decried the high rate of employment in the country in spite of the fact that Nigeria had recorded high oil prices, Gross Domestic Product and foreign reserves during the previous administrations. 

This, according to him, has made it clear that such figures, including a rise in revenue by itself, do not create jobs or significantly reduce poverty level in the country.