Benue State Government Empowers Local Communities with New NHGSFP Cooks to Serve Over 400,000 Pupils
In a remarkable move, the Benue State Government has embarked on a positive transformation of the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) in the state. As a result, 6,512 cooks who have dedicated themselves to this noble cause between 2017 and 2023 are now making way for fresh opportunities. This development comes as the state gears up to provide nutritious meals to over 400,000 pupils through the NHGSFP.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr. Aondowase Kunde, officially shared this heartening news while launching the training of the state’s new Master Cooks for the NHGSFP in Makurdi. He explained that this decision to replace the previous cooks is part of a broader effort to reorganize and strengthen the program.
What sets this initiative apart is the commitment to local empowerment. The government has directed that the recruitment of new cooks for the NHGSFP be carried out at the grassroots level, within the Council Wards. This approach ensures that ordinary citizens, particularly women, have the chance to be part of this essential program.
Commissioner Kunde emphasized that this step signifies a significant departure from the past, where influential individuals often dominated the selection process, reserving these roles for themselves and their families. By disengaging the previous cooks, the government is taking a bold step to open up this opportunity to a broader cross-section of the community.
He noted, “This administration conducted a review and evaluation of the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, and as part of measures to reorganize the program, all cooks who served between 2017 and 2023 have been disengaged. This measure is to give other citizens the opportunity to benefit from the program, as the Social Investment Programmes are designed to be spread to all Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable within a specified duration of time. This implies that all our would-be-cooks will be persons who have not benefitted from the program in the past.” The Commissioner assures the public that the recruitment of new cooks for the program will be carried out transparently, adhering to the program’s operational guidelines. This positive step aims to secure the delivery of safe and healthy meals for the more than 400,000 pupils benefiting from the program in Benue State, while also ensuring a hygienic environment for the children. This initiative truly empowers local communities, fostering inclusivity and spreading the benefits of the NHGSFP to all.
