JUST IN: Panic In Osun As 18 Pupils Got Poisoned Via Govt Free Food
Parents and residents of Osogbo were gripped by panic as 18 pupils from St. James Primary School B, Owo-Ope, were hospitalized due to food poisoning linked to the government’s free school feeding programme.
The pupils developed complications after consuming rice and eggs prepared for them by food vendor agents of the O’ Meal program on Monday, December 11.
A concerned parent, Iya Taye, whose three children attend the school, revealed that her children returned home weak, experiencing vomiting and frequent stooling after partaking in the school-provided meal. She asserted that her children started feeling unwell after consuming the food and alleged sabotage within the school feeding program. She mentioned that her children are currently receiving treatment at home.
She stated, “I have invited a doctor to treat my children. Other parents took their children to the hospital, but I have a doctor relative who helped me. My children are receiving treatment inside.”
A credible source within the school confirmed that over 50 pupils were affected by the food poisoning, with 18 of them being hospitalized. The Osun state government, through the commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the reported cases of food poisoning.
Alimi stated, “The governor 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 program have also been summoned to a meeting by Tuesday morning.”
He added, “The governor has directed enforcement of food standard and control as well as the auditing of the O-Meal structure to forestall future occurrences. The government is settling the medical bills of the affected students as narrated by the Chairman of the Local Government Education Authority, Mr Nathaniel Ojetola.”
