The Federal Government has released a total of N844million for the commencement of the National Homegrown School Feeding programme in seven states of the federation.
That means, a total of 1, 043, 205 pupils in those seven states will be fed this week.
This was disclosed in a statement by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President, Office of the Vice President, who said the money was released as at the end of last week.
He listed the benefitting states to include; Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Zamfara.
Giving an update on the Social Investment Programme of the Buhari administration, the official said while “N844, 360, 550” has so far been released for the commencement of the programme in the seven States , not all of them have actually started the implementation as at press time.
The feeding has actually commenced Anambra, Enugu, Osun, Ogun, and Oyo, while it is expected to start this week in the two other states of Ebonyi and Zamfara, since they have been funded.
If the feeding starts across the seven states kicks off, about 1, 043, 205 pupils in those states will be fed within the week.
“Laolu also said a total of 11,775 cooks have now been employed to prepare the meals in those states already, while local farmers in the states are also the one producing the food prepared and served.
“Of all the States, Anambra, which was the first state to receive FG funding late last year has now received three full funding tranches covering 30 school days, totaling N188, 769,000. The State has a total of 937 cooks and feeding 96,489 pupils.
“In Ebonyi, FG have also released a total of N115, 218, 600, while 1466 cooks have been engaged and 164, 598 pupils are to be fed.
“Also in Enugu State, FG have released N67,244, 800 to feed 96, 064 pupils and 1128 cooks engaged.
“In Ogun State, FG have released N119, 648, 900 to feed 170, 927 pupils and engaged 1381 cooks, while in Osun a total of N92, 425, 400 have been released to feed 142, 193 pupils with 2688 cooks engaged.
“For Oyo State, a total of N72, 288, 300 have been released by the FG to feed 103, 269 pupils, engaging 1437 cooks, while in Zamfara FG have released a total sum of N188, 765, 500 to feed 269, 665 pupils and engaged 2, 738 cooks” he said.
