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Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L) cutting the tape to launch Free Meals For pupils in Ejigbo LCDA Primary Schools.



Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (R) in warm handshake with Miss Funmilola Ibitoye of Ejigbo Senior High School during the launch of Free Meals For pupils.

Speeches

May 4, 2009 - Launch Of Free Meal Programme Of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area

Today is an historic day for the pupils of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area particularly the (9) nine public primary schools who are the direct beneficiaries of the free meal programme that is being launched today.

It is a known fact that malnutrition is a major factor contributing to poor performance among public primary school pupils majority of whom are from low income families. Given this situation and the desire to ensure a brighter and rewarding future for our children irrespective of their socio-economic background, a programme of this nature is a welcome development because a child that is well fed will be healthy and has a better chance of performing very well in his or her studies.

I wish to appeal to parents not to see this programme as an excuse to abandon their responsibilities. Government cannot play the role of parents, it can only support and assist you to ease the burden of your responsibilities. I am informed that apart from this free meal programme, the local government has also provided desk and chairs, free uniform, sick bays, public address system and first aid boxes to public schools.

Some of the responsibilities which I want to draw the attention of all parents to, is to cultivate the habit of visiting your children’s schools from time to time to find out from their teachers how they are performing and also ensuring that the children observes basic hygiene such as having their bath and brushing their teeth properly before leaving home every morning. Let us go back to those days when the community plays prominent roles in bringing up of our children.

To all my blessed children, I congratulate you because today is your day. We love you and want you all to grow up to become very important persons in future such as Nurses, Doctors, Accountants.

How many of you are happy with what we are doing today? If you are happy and want the Chairman, your parents and guardians to do more for you, you have to play your part by reading your book, do your homework, listen to your parents, respect your elders and obey your teachers and learn to use the (3) three magic words; Please, Sorry and Thank you.

Finally, let me make a special appeal to all those who will be charged with the responsibility of implementing this programme to show commitment and dedication towards ensuring that this programme and all other programmes that are geared towards improving the living conditions of our children and the people achieve the desired goal.

I would like to congratulate the Chairman, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan and all members of his administration for their efforts to raise the standards of public schools and secure the future of our children.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is on this note that I launch the free meal programme of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area to the glory of God and service to our children.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Eko o ni baje.

Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State