Governor Oyebanji flagging off the free milk programme in Ikun Ekiti

*As Oyebanji flags off “Ikun Free Milk” initiative

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has announced plans by his administration to include milk in the Federal Government’s  School Feeding Programme for all primary school pupils in the state once the initiative resumes.

This, according to the Governor, is part of efforts to enhance the nutritional value of the meals and support the welfare of the children for improved academic and general performance.

Governor Oyebanji stated this on Wednesday during the flag off of “Ikun Milk Day”, which is a weekly free milk programme for primary school pupils in Ikun Ekiti,  initiated by Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, the company managing Ikun Dairy Farm, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the host community.

Flagging off the free milk programme at a brief ceremony in Ikun Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji said the free milk initiative is the state government’s way of complementing the Federal Government’s school feeding programme.

Emphasising the critical role of proper nutrition in the cognitive and physical development of children, the Governor said provision of milk would not only boost the health of the pupils but also encourage higher public school enrolment and attendance.

While expressing his deep gratitude to Promasidor for the initiative, the Governor assured them and other potential investors of his administration’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for business through investor-friendly policies, improved infrastructure, and a secure business climate.

Governor Oyebanji also said that his government would not relent in its efforts to ensure that every child in the state has access to quality education and nutrition, which, according to him, are the bedrock of his administration’s development agenda.

In his remarks, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Muktah, who was represented by the Director of Corporate and Monogastic, Mr Victor Egbon, described Ikun Diary Farm as a shining example of what can be achieved through effective Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements. He commended the collaborative efforts of the Ekiti State government and Promasidor, which, according to him, have revitalised the dairy farm into a hub of productivity and innovation in the country.

Emphasising the critical role of the livestock sector in ensuring food security, job creation, and generating revenue in the country, the Minister called on all stakeholders in the country to replicate and scale up similar initiatives in livestock development.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, who was represented by the Director Corporate Affairs, Dr Enom Udoma-Eniang expressed profound gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering support and for fostering an enabling environment that has allowed the company’s operation to thrive in the state adding that the Governor’s proactive leadership and commitment to the partnership has been critical to the success of the company’s investment in the state.

While explaining that the free milk programme for primary school pupils in Ikun Ekiti is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to give back to the host community, Dr Enom assured the Governor that Promasidor remains committed to maintaining its investment in the state and exploring more opportunities for collaboration.

Earlier, the Governor, joined by some state officials and officials of Promasidor, had undertaken an inspection of the Ikun Diary Farm,  where he was taken round the production line as well as the cows’ feeding area and other facilities.

Governor Oyebanji expressed satisfaction at the healthy state of the farm. Specifically, the Governor expressed satisfaction at the remarkable increase in the number of cows, the healthy state of the cows, the increase in the quantity of milk production and employment opportunities at the dairy farm.