The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development on Friday distributed feeding utensils to public primary schools in Ogun.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs Sadiya Umar Farouq, presenting the utensils at the U. B. E Model, Primary school, Olorombo, in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
Farouq said the programme is to further improve best hygiene practices and safety during consumption of meals by the pupils.
The Minister, represented by Mr Jaji Babatunde, Director in the Ministry, said the items are branded for children to benefit from the intervention.
Farouq noted that the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) is one of the four key interventions of the federal government under national Social investment programme which seeks to boost school enrollment, nutrition local economic activities across thousands of communities across the nation.
“The programme is designed to address poverty in all forms and is a collaboration between the federal and state governments.
‘The FG is responsible for the release of funds, guidelines policies, and monitoring, while the state government carries out the day-to-day implementation, including procurement of food items, selection of cooks and vendors,” the minister said.
She also disclosed they have recorded over 9 million pupils enrollment on the programme by federal government with employment of 10,000 cooks under the school feeding programme.
In his remarks, the Governor of Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Funmi Efuwape, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the gigantic strides of addressing the issues of school children in the country.
Abiodun added that the programme has really improved the nutritional and healthy status of the school children across the State.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Barr. Femi Ogunbanwo, said the NHGSFP has really increased the enrollment rates of primary school children in the state.
Ogunbanwo added that it has also stimulated the local agricultural production by boosting the income of farmers, creating a viable and ready market.
He disclosed that 1,565 schools are currently benefiting from the NHGSFP.
However, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, the chairman of Ogun SUBEB, assured the federal government of their continued supports for the success of the programme.
Majekodudunmi charged the beneficiaries of the cooking utensils to make good use of them and ensure their safety and effective maintenance.
Also, the head teacher of the state, Mr Balogun Babatude, appreciateed the federal government for their support and initiative, saying that the school feeding programme has greatly improved the enrollment of pupils in the major class.
One of the pupils, Shodiya Temilayo, on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated the the federal government for the support.
