Mrs Olubunmi Ayoola, Programme officer of the Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEAL), says the free meal programme in the state has boosted enrolment of pupils in public schools.
Ayoola spoke on Friday in Osogbo while receiving a delegation from Niger State on a three-day visit to understudy the O’MEAL programme of the state.
 

 
She said that the Gov. Rauf Aregbesola-led administration in the state would continue to implement the feeding programme in spite of the scarce financial resources available to the state.
“Through this programme, there has been a relative increase in pupils’ enrollment in the state public schools,’’ Ayoola said.
She said that the programme also impacted positively on the state’s economy as food vendors and farmers were empowered in the process.
In her remarks, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Special Adviser to Niger State Governor on Empowerment and Social Protection, who led the delegation, commended Gov. Aregbesola for the programme.
She said that the programme showed the commitment of the Aregbesola-led administration to the welfare of the people of the state despite the financial crisis affecting most states.
Dauda said Osun state was a model to all other states of the federation in the area of O’MEAL.
According to her, Niger will take a cue from Osun to run a similar programme.
NAN

The State Programme Officer of Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEAL), Mrs Olubunmi Ayoola has warned bakers, baking bread for pupils in Public Elementary Primary Schools in the state of Osun to be up and doing and by baking to specifications.
 

 
Mrs Ayoola dropped this hint when she met with Executive Members of Master Bakers in her office.
She said that, bread must be baked according to government specification and delivered on time to avoid disappointment to schools.
She explained that, the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has taken Elementary School Feeding to a level that is internationally accepted and that all efforts should be made to sustain the programme.
Earlier, the Secretary, Master Bakers, State of Osun, Mr. Muritala Adeeyo had commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for including them in the success of O’MEAL which has made the state of Osun a reference point to all states.  He therefore promised that, his members will adjust to government specification by delivering promptly.
Present at the meeting were Zonal Education Planning Officers.