1600 Nomadic School Children to Benefit from CORET School Feeding Programme in Kaduna
By: Edirin Robinson
The Confederation of Traditional Stock Breeders Organization (CORET) has launched an integrated school feeding program to cater to 1600 children in six nomadic pastoralist schools in the Kachia (Ladduga) grazing Reserve of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the inception and launching ceremony in Kachia, today, the Secretary General of CORET, Barr. Mohammed Bello Tukur said the project aims to help reduce the food and nutritional vulnerability of people in the ECOWAS region by implementing a project to promote integrated school feeding models in West Africa.
According to him, the Project will specifically support pastoralists in Nigeria-Niger Trans-border Communities for an initial period of 36 months.
“The overall objective of the project is to improve human capital development in West Africa and, more specifically, to improve sustainable access to healthy and balanced food baskets for pupils in vulnerable rural areas.”
The Secretary-General further explained that the project seeks to create economic opportunities and economic integration for the 60% of girls and women in the six pastoralist communities supported.
“The project intends to achieve the documentation and knowledge of good practices in nutrition, hygiene, basic sanitation, and the sustainable management of natural resources strengthened and shared.
“It will also ensure best practices and lessons learned from the implementation of school feeding program and its sustainability for pastoralists’ children promoted.”
Barr. Mohammed Bello Tukur disclosed the project locations as selected and agreed by all implementing partners to include Nomadic Primary School Wuro Nyako, Nomadic Primary School Mbela Biradam, and Nomadic Primary School Tiggirde, all located in Ladduga, Kachia grazing reserve.
“Furthermore, the Project is to be implemented with members of a consortium consisting of the National Commission for Nomadic Education, Reube Global Rights and Development Initiatives, relevant departments, agencies and Ministries, and local governments from the Government of Kaduna State as well as the communities including the community leaders, School Based Management Committees (SBMCs) and Mothers’ Association (MAs.)”
He acknowledged the support and collaboration of ECOWAS, RAAF, Spanish Development Cooperation, Federal and State Governments as well as other critical partners, noting that the project would not have been possible without them.
“The Management of CORET wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the Board for the support and collaboration extended to us. We also thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the support given to pastoralist communities in Nigeria, and also the Government and people of Kaduna State for their hospitality and support.”
In his remark, the Executive Chairman of Kachia LGA, Dr. Mango Daniel Maigari, said the target of 60 percent of girls to be fed in the CORET Programme is highly commendable, and the creation of economic opportunities and integration for women is a good combination that will help the program to succeed.
The Chairman, who was represented by the Director of Agriculture and Forestry Sector, Kachia LGA, Queen V. Saidu, stressed that the issue of nutrition and sustainability in this program could not be over-emphasized as an important ingredient needed in our Country for effective educational progress.
“The key actors in the CORET project are also an advantage for the progress of the nomadic child to be educated in health and wealth, and we thank you for choosing Ladduga in Kachia LGA among the three centers in Kaduna State.”
Speaking also, the Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, ECOWAS, Dr. Alain Sy Traore, disclosed that his organization is implementing 127 projects in 15 member countries.
The Director, who was represented by a Young Professional, PRAOP 3, Dr Saater Kumaga, added that 37 of the designed projects were implemented in Nigeria, with three launched in Kaduna State.
