Parents and residents of Osogbo were thrown into panic as 18 pupils from St. James Primary School B, Owo-Ope, were hospitalised due to food poisoning linked to the government’s free school feeding programme.
According to The Nation the pupils of the school developed complications after eating rice and egg prepared for them by food vendor agents of the O’ Meal programme on Monday, December 11.
A parent of three pupils of the school named Iya Taye disclosed that her children returned home weak after vomiting and frequent stooling.
She confirmed that her children started experiencing discomfort after eating the food in school.
She alleged saboteurs in the school feeding programme, noting that he children are receiving treatment at home.
She said: “I have invited doctor to treat my children. Other parent took their children to hospital but I have a doctor relation who helped me. My children are receiving treatment inside.”
A top source in the school also confirmed that over 50 pupils were affected one way or the other over the food poisoning.
He said 18 of the of pupils were hospitalised, adding that government has intervened in the matter.
Meanwhile, Osun state government through through its commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, has ordered a full investigations into the reported cases of food poisoning.
He said the matter has been reported to the government by the Special Adviser on O-Meal, Mrs Grace Oluwaseyi Ayodele.