The Deputy Provost (Administration), Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT), Ibadan, who doubles as the Secretary General, Dairy Association of Nigeria (DAN), Dr. Fumilayo Oladunni Ogunleke, has stated that Nigeria needs someone like Ellen Wilkinson to make the vision of the World School Milk Day in the country a reality.
The don, who spoke at the event held on Wednesday, September 28, at Dr. K.J Nwufoh Hall of the college, which was organized by the DAN in collaboration with the college, to mark the World School Milk Day, stated that milk is very essential, for not only children but also adults.
Speaking in an interview with CEOAFRICA crew, she explained that as far back as 1946, even before the United Nations, through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), could think of coming up with the policy of school milk, Ellen Wilkinson had ensured that the United Kingdom’s parliament passed the School Milk Act.
According to her, “The country needs someone who will ensure that policy on school milk is implemented in Nigeria, just as Ellen Wilkinson did in the UK in 1946. The United States followed suit about ten years later.”
Speaking further, she said, “The awareness about taking milk is very low in Nigeria, almost 0%. Many people don’t take milk because of the economic situation.”
She also noted that, in addition to the US and UK, countries like Australia, Canada, China, Ethiopia, Switzerland and many more have done same, ensuring that school children, below the age of 18, are given one pint of milk every day, in school.
School milk day is celebrated on the last Wednesday in September every year, she explained that the reason for that is because it is expected that all schools, globally, are in session as the event is celebrated, since schools resume in September.
The event was declared open by the provost of the college, Dr Adekoya Olatunde Owosibo, who stated that milk is important in strengthening immunity and for growth. 
Dr Owosibo, who was represented by Dr Isaac Olusegun Ayodeji, the Deputy Provost (Academics), lamented that the cost of milk discourages people from taking it, such that even those who try to, take far less than required.
Many schools were in attendance, as well as representatives of different animal science, agricultural and veterinary groups.
World School Milk Day, which is held all over the world on the last Wednesday of September, every year to celebrate the benefits and success of school milk programmes, had its first edition celebrated in September 2000, and has since become an annual event, promoted by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) of the United Nations.