By Hassan Zaggi
In an effort to inculcate the culture of proper nutrition and promote nutrition education among children, Nestlé has organized quiz competition for primary school pupils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Ogun state.
The process was led by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) who also executed the competition from school stage to the finals.
The Nutrition Quiz competition was part of ‘Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK)’, a flagship initiative of the company which aims to help 50 million children globally lead healthier lives by 2030.
The Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka, explained that N4HK is a school-based nutrition education program that equips children with knowledge to make better nutrition choices from an early age for a healthier future.
Speaking on the objectives of the competition at the grand finale of the competition in Abuja, yesterday, she said: “Nestlé for Healthier Kids is aligned with our goal of helping children live healthier lives by raising awareness of the benefits of healthy nutrition and an active lifestyle.
“We are delighted with the performance of all the participating schools this year. The learners proved without doubt that they had indeed understood the various topics. The competition was intense, so the winners do deserve the acclaim.
“I commend our partners, the NSN who anchored the quiz, I celebrate the teachers who prepared the children so well, and of course FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) and Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for their continued commitment to raising a healthier generation.”
The Communication Manager, explained that 20 schools from the three senatorial districts of Ogun State and 10 schools from the six Area Councils in the FCT participated in the quiz
competition which held simultaneously in Ogun State and the FCT for seven days.
The participating schools, according to her, where quizzed on topics curated from the N4HK students’ manual covering nutrition, healthy hydration, hygiene and physical activities.
Commenting on the winners, Mrs. Uwadoka said that Gadosnasko Science Primary School, Gwagwalada, Abuja and St Paul’s Primary School, Orile Imo, Ogun State emerged winners of the nutrition quiz competition.
Other winners, according to her, include Salvation Army Primary School, Edu Agbara, Ogun State and Model Primary School, Bwari, Abuja in second place and Methodist Primary School
Abeokuta and LEA Primary School, Jiwa, Abuja in third position.
All the winners took home exciting prizes from the organizers including sports gears for the teams and sporting equipment for their schools.
In his remarks, the Deputy Director, School Health, FCT UBEB, Alhaji Aboki Danladi, commended the organisers of the competition, noting that it would assist in improving good nutrition behavior of the children who are leaders of tomorrow.
“We are proud of the outstanding performance of the children in the competition. The Board appreciates Nestlé for the consistent investment in the education and welfare of children over the years.
“The Nestlé for Healthier Kids Program is a laudable project, positively impacting on our children,” Alhaji Aboki said.
On his part, the Chairman of Ogun State Chapter of Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Oluseye Onabanjo, said, “Malnutrition among school age children is a major public health concern. Improving the quality of children’s foods and continuous education on feeding practices in the early years of life are cornerstones in addressing the challenge of malnutrition.”
Speaking with our Correspondent, a primary 5 pupil of Gadonasko Science Primary School, Gwagwalada, Felicia Abraham, said: “I really enjoyed the Nestlé for Healthier Kids program as it taught me useful lessons for maintaining good health.
“The other schools did so well that we were a bit worried. We are very happy and proud of ourselves for winning this competition on behalf of our school”.
Relaunched in Nigeria in 2018, Nestlé for Healthier Kids which is an annual event, is being supported by the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Nutrition
Society of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Health.
