…says the National Home Grown School Feeding Program is one of the four key interventions of FG
The Federal government on Friday said that the use of bare hands and unhygienic plates for feeding in public primary schools is unacceptable to the ministry.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Mrs Sadiya Umar Farouq stated this when she presented feeding utensils to public primary schools to the Anambra State government at Udeozor memorial primary school in Awka, Anambra State capital.
Farouq, who was represented by Director in the Ministry, Mr Taiwo Bashorun said the utensils would further improve best hygiene practices and safety during consumption of meals by the pupils.
She said that the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme is one of the four key interventions of the federal government under national Social Investment Programme.
According to her, the aim is to promote inclusive and equitable learning opportunities, food security and employment to reduce hunger and poverty in the country
“We get reports that the utensils are not adequate for pupils as some of them eat with their hands or unhygienic plates, I wish to State this hand over of the utensils today will address the problem.
“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.
“According to her the programme has recorded over nine million pupils enrollment with employment of over 100, 000 cooks under the school feeding programme across the country, ” the minister said.
Responding, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, State,represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Theodora Igwegbe, expressed gratitude to the federal government for the intervention to address the problem of nutrition among pupils.
“We appreciate this laudable programme aimed at making our children feed well. Because it is when they feed well and are well nourished that their potential, skills and talents will manifest,”
In her remarks, state’s Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ms Chiamaka Nnake assured the federal government of their continued supports for the success of the programme.
