National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) said at least 20,000 pupils in Edo state would benefit from the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSF) of the federal government.
NSIP focal person in the state, Osayuwamen Aledeshelu, revealed Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin city.
Aledeshelu said 1,000 pupils in Uhunmwode local government area were currently benefiting from the feeding programme inaugurated a month ago in the state.
“We are starting with two local government areas of Orhionmwon and Uhunwonde. We target to feed over 20, 000 pupils in the state.
“For now, our pilot school is Eyean Primary School in Uhunmwode and pupils from primary one to six in the school are enrolled in the programme,’’ she said.
She added that the Ward Development Committees in the two local governments would ensure that the programme is monitored, allow for transparency and accountability.
“We have an independent structure made up of environmental health officers, agricultural officers and members of the ward development committees to ensure the programme is properly managed and children eat healthy foods.” Aledeshelu added that over 30 farmers were currently linked to the feeding programme.
