School feeding: Fed Govt begins training for food vendors

The training, also termed train-the-trainer, was part of moves by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to document vendors nationwide.

Team Leader for Lagos Oni Williams-Olu said the programme was aimed at maintaining safe and hygienic environment, while preparing and procuring food as well as increasing school children’s enrolment.

Two food vendors were selected from each local government, bringing the trainees to 40. The 40 vendors will train others.

Williams-Olu said: “What we are trying to do is to train the food vendors who are the custodians of securing lives of our children by serving them quality meals. We have to put this into consideration and to make sure food vendors are familiar with what it takes to give our children quality meals.

“… this is also to alleviate poverty and increase enrolment into schools and reduce malnutrition.

“The two food vendors…will then train about 20 food vendors, and we will have about 800 being trained. So, it’s like training the trainer.”

Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment Mrs. YetundeArobieke, hailed the Federal Government for the initiative.

“The programme has social implication because part of our agenda in Lagos is to reduce poverty and create wealth. But, this is a Federal Government’s effort to help the cooks learn the health intricacies to use as they cook for our children.

“Those involved must realise that we are not cooking for children alone, but to improve their health as well as making education more meaningful.”