On Friday, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development distributed feeding utensils to Ogun public primary schools.
Mrs Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, presenting the utensils at the U. B. E Model Primary School, Olorombo, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Farouq stated that the program aims to improve best hygiene practices and safety during meal consumption by students.
Mr Jaji Babatunde, Director in the Ministry, represented the Minister, who stated that the items are branded for children to benefit from the intervention.
Farouq stated that the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) is one of the federal government’s four key interventions under the national Social Investment Program, which aims to increase school enrollment, nutrition, and local economic activity in thousands of communities across the country.
“The program, which is a collaboration between the federal and state governments, is designed to address poverty in all of its forms.”
‘The FG is responsible for the release of funds, policy guidelines, and monitoring, while the state government is in charge of day-to-day implementation, such as procurement of food items and the selection of cooks and vendors,’ the minister explained.
She also stated that the federal government has enrolled over 9 million students in the program, with the employment of 10,000 cooks under the school feeding program.
In his remarks, the Governor of Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Funmi Efuwape, thanked the Federal Government for making enormous strides in addressing the country’s school-children issues.
Abiodun went on to say that the program has significantly improved the nutritional and health status of schoolchildren across the state.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Barr. Femi Ogunbanwo, stated that the NHGSFP has significantly increased primary school enrollment rates in the state.
Ogunbanwo went on to say that it has also boosted local agricultural production by increasing farmer income, thereby creating a viable and ready market.
He stated that the NHGSFP is currently benefiting 1,565 schools.
However, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, the chairman of Ogun SUBEB, assured the federal government of his organization’s continued support for the program’s success.
Majekodudunmi charged the recipients of the cooking utensils with making good use of them and ensuring their safety and effectiveness.
Mr Balogun Babatude, the state’s head teacher, also expressed gratitude to the federal government for their support and initiative, stating that the school feeding program has significantly increased enrollment in the major class.
Shodiya Temilayo, one of the students, expressed gratitude to the federal government on behalf of the beneficiaries.