The Osun State Government has initiated an investigation into the reported case of about 18 pupils from James Primary School B, Osogbo, who fell ill after consuming a mid-day meal served under the state’s free school feeding program. The government has directed the immediate halt of further food cooking at the affected school pending the outcome of the investigations.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, Governor Ademola Adeleke took immediate action upon receiving the report, and the victims have been treated and discharged from hospitals.
The statement reads, “The Governor has subsequently directed the stoppage of further food cooking at the affected school pending the outcome of the investigations. The affected cooks in the said schools alongside the planning officer for the O-Meal programme have also been summoned to a meeting by Tuesday morning.”
Governor Adeleke has also ordered the enforcement of food standards and control and the auditing of the O-Meal structure to prevent future occurrences. The government is settling the medical bills of the affected students, and a delegation is visiting the families of the affected pupils.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, caused panic among parents, with videos of the affected pupils in hospitals circulating on social media. The pupils reported falling ill after consuming rice with egg served during the school meal. Parents expressed concerns about the food vendor and demanded a thorough investigation to prevent a recurrence.
