From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, has said the School Feeding Programme will provide more employment opportunities for the people of the state.

Egbeyemi said the programme , expected to take- off in the state at the end of the month , will also boost  local economy and increase school enrollment among the people of the state.

The deputy governor said the  programme will also encourage the establishment of more schools in new neighbourhoods in Ado and Ikere Ekiti while its free medical mission to the grassroots was aimed at making residents feel the impact of governance.

In a statement released on Tuesday by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola,  Egbeyemi disclosed that food vendors to be used for the school feeding had undergone interview and training ahead of the commencement of the programme.

Egbeyemi explained that the policy is taking off with pupils who are in Primary 1  to Primary 3 in all government owned primary schools who will be fed once during school hours with quality meals that will stimulate their interest in their studies.

According to the deputy governor, egg and chicken are part of the menu to be served to the pupils assuring that hygiene will not be compromised in preparation of the meals.

The deputy governor noted that the policy, apart from attracting more pupils to public schools, will also benefit farmers, market women, food vendors and their supporting workers.

While noting that the school feeding programme will change the face of education in the state, Egbeyemi sought the cooperation of all stakeholders to make the programme a huge success.

He disclosed that the state government decided to establish five schools in Ado- Ekiti and one in Ikere -Ekiti to bring education nearer to parents and pupils who trek long distances to get to school.

Explaining that other communities will get the same privilege in the future, Egbeyemi said rapid expansion of Ado and Ikere and limited resources was the reason why the policy is restricted to the two big towns for now.

Egbeyemi also declared the readiness of the state government to enforce the law on street trading in major towns in the state to prevent future occurrence of the trailer accident at Iworoko Ekiti.

The deputy governor deplored street trading in major towns like Ado, Ikere, Iyin, Igede and  Ilawe which hinder free flow of traffic and constitute danger to the lives of buyers and sellers on market days.

He said the enforcement of the law will be done with human face after  vigorous public enlightenment campaigns  might have taken place in a bid to save the lives of residents.