It explained that the Snacks for Thought programme was created to complement the homegrown school feeding programme of the Federal Government, which covered only pupils in primary one to primary three.

The government added that its feeding programme would take care of the pupils at the crèche and primary four to primary six.

The Special Adviser of the Office of Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, made this known on Monday during the ministerial press briefing commemorating the second year anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in Alausa, Ikeja.

She said, “The programme will cost the government N11bn. We are going to partner organisation on this. We already have over 400 volunteers that will work with us. In order to curb these rising numbers, we need more than statutory allocations. Intervention such as this will increase the rate of enrolment in schools and serve as a preventive security measure in reducing crime and hooliganism that may, later on, disrupt the socio-economic life of the state. The indigent pregnant women were selected from those who attend our Primary Healthcare Centres in the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas of the state.”

The Special Adviser to the on Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, disclosed this while unveiling the programmes and activities for the civic week and the launch of the Sanwo-Olu Cares initiative.

Adebowale said the grant to the residents which comes through a social welfare intervention program is in line with the administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda aimed at addressing every sector of the state.

She stressed that the grant should be seen as ‘setting on the path’ for citizens who are able to contribute their quota to the economic development of the state.

“Beneficiaries of the social welfare inclusive initiative would be encouraged to invest 50% of the grant received in a small-scale business. The office of Civic Engagement has partnered with some companies to assist our citizens to actualize these goals by planning and monitoring the growth of their small-scale business.” Adebowale added.

According to her, the week-long programme championed by the Lagos State Office of Civic Engagement which is set to commence on Friday the 20th and end on Boxing Day, 26th December also has other activities lined up for the development of Lagos.

The Special Adviser hinted that aside from the empowerment initiative scheduled to hold at the Eko FM Marquee, Alausa, Ikeja, other activities that will inculcate social values in children and youth, serving as a guideline for achieving widespread civic engagement through planned programmes of action has been included in the event.

“We aim at building a people-centered Lagos by adopting a variety of engaging activities as a channel to inspire individuals to be active participants in the process of nation-building. Engaging citizens remains our ultimate goal. We can only improve Lagos through our collective effort.”

Office of Civic engagement disclosed that there will be social visitations to Churches, Mosques as well as senior citizens, and relief materials will be distributed to them.