Notwithstanding the financial challenges facing his administration, Osun state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola’s school feeding programme has received yet another recognition.
The programme tagged O-Meal was honoured by an Abuija-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Voice of African Women for African Dignity for commitment, dedication and success attained by the programme .
The State feeds over 250,000 elementary school pupils every school days with nutritious meals a programme that also has impacts on agriculture and other value chains. Other programmes of the Aregbesola administration that also attracted the attention of the organisation include the special welfare programme for the elderly and vulnerable, Agba Osun, as well as that for widows in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the body in Abuja, Barrister Julie Doule who represented the President, Hajia Amina Idris, disclosed that the board of the organization also found Governor Aregbesola worthy of the emulation for his commitment to child education as well as incentives for the disabled in the society.
They further commended Ogbeni Aregbesola for his resolve to use his programmes to better the lives of the downtrodden through poverty alleviation.
She said, “This Award of Excellence is in recognition of your immense contributions to the survival of human dignity. The free meal Program for school children in Osun State which has become a benchmark on how to increase child education and the incentive programs for the disables, widows and the aged are laudable programs that are worthy of commendations” Hajia Amina Idris said the non governmental organization concluded that the humility of Aregbesola, his compassionate disposition in the conduct of both private and public as well as efforts towards building a society where human dignity is held paramount must not go unnoticed.
Your resolve to remove a vast majority of people living below poverty line in the midst of plenty in the country and integrate them into wealth through sustainable creation of various avenues are worthy of commendations,” she said.
In his remarks, Aregbesola, who said he decided to go into politics with sole aim of empowering the populace, bemoaned policies that are anti-people and pro-elite. He said foremost responsibilities of any responsible administration is to use the commonwealth to bring about just, fair and peaceful society noting that economic challenges remain the cause of insurgency in the North-East of Nigeria.
