FOOD FOR ALL

Kebbi Governor's Wife Flag off Distribution of fortified Rice to Secondary Schools.

Press Release:

In an effort to address micronutrients deficiency among school children in the state,

Wife of the governor of Kebbi state Hajia Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris has flag-off the distribution of fortified Rice for inclusion in the menu of feeding programme of selected Schools in the state .

Speaking at the event held at Government Girls Day Secondary School Tudun Wada, in Birnin Kebbi, 

Wife of the governor said the program has been designed to make a significant contribution to improve the nutritional status of the Nigerian Population especially among Children the Wife of the Governor, therefore commended Global Alliance for Improve Nutrition (GAIN), and the World Food Programme (WFP) for the initiative.

She said the fortified rice contains the necessary nutrients needed to keep the body safe from diseases.

However , the Promoting Rice Fortification In Nigeria (PRiFN) project, is an initiative of (GAIN) and (WFP) to support federal government’s national micronutrient deficiency control strategy.

Speaking Earlier the ,Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, who is the Chairperson, food security in Kebbi State, Hajiya Aisha Muhammad Usman announced that the state government has contributed immensely towards ensuring the success of the program and chosen Kebbi as the pilot State for the take off scheme indicates that 

Kebbi state will be the first state, not only in Nigeria but in the whole West African countries to produce fortified rice.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Joel Aiki said

Kebbi was chosen for the pilot project because it was the hub of rice production in the country.

 He described Kebbi State as one of the leading Rice producing States that produces 50 million Bags of Rice Per annum.

According to him, the campaign is to introduce the micro-fortified rice to Nigerians and weigh its acceptability.

“After this acceptability , we will take the feedback to the federal government.

“It’s expected that rice millers in the state would start producing fortified rice and it would be integrated in the school feeding programme, so that school children and households can now eat fortified rice and stay healthy,”

 He however thanks the wife of the governor for her kind support in ensuring the purchase and distribution of the fortified rice in the state.

The coordinator Nasare Foundation Abdulrasheed announced a cash donation of N1 million on behalf of Nasara foundation to increase the volume of the fortified rice to be procured for distribution to schools.

In Her vote of thanks, Kebbi State Nutrition Officer, Mrs. Eunice Erey, commended the government for active participation in improving the nutritional requirements of the populace and championing the distribution of fortified rice to schools.

Signed: 

Khadijat Saidu

Press Secretary to Wife of the Kebbi State Governor.