School Feeding Programme: Nigerian Govt begins distribution of utensils
By Rahila Lassa, Abuja
The Nigerian Government has begun the distribution of feeding utensils for primary school pupils under the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, NHGSFP, across the Federation.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk flagged-off the Zonal distribution in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
According to her, the intervention is to ensure that the target pupils have the best experience of integrity, hygiene and safety during their consumption of the free meals provided by the Nigerian Government.
“In year 2020, when the School Feeding Programme started in the FCT, we delivered more than 70,000 sets of stainless steel covered bowls and spoons for the pupils, and over 1,500 aprons to the cooks. I am sure they were all put to good use.
“By now all Nigerians are aware that the NHGSFP is one of the 4 key interventions of the this Government under the National Investment Programme (NSIP). The School Feeding Programme seeks to increase enrollment of children into schools, boost their nutrition and encourage entrepreneurship, enhance agriculture production and generate millions of rural jobs in the Country,” she stated.
Farouk said; “In line with this, I am happy to report that we have so far, recorded feeding nearly 10 million pupils, and engaged over 100, 000 cooks. Also massive employment opportunities are being created within the school feeding ecosystem in sectors of transportation, agriculture, energy supply and food materials packaging.”
The Minister also disclosed that the school feeding programme has resumed across the Nation following a short break due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The Home Grown School Feeding Programme is a collaboration between the Nigerian and State Government. The Nigerian Government is responsible for funding, making policy & guidelines, and conduct of close monitoring, while the States/FCT carry out the day-to-day implementation including procurement of food items, selection of cooks and vendors.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
Mercy Chukwudiebere
