From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has ordered immediate expansion of the beneficiaries of the half a trillion naira social investment programme to create more jobs for graduates.
This was even as the presidency disclosed that over a million Nigerians have benefited from the programmes, including 57,234 interest free loans given to artisans and traders.
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Acting President, Laolu Akande, in a statement, said as at the end of April, the Muhammadu Buhari administration had spent a total N41.714 billion across the 36 States and FCT on different aspects of the four social investment programmes.
He further disclosed that no less than 25 million meals have been served under the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme (SIP) of the Buhari administration, adding that a huge ramp up of SIP is being implemented as directed by Osinbajo.
A breakdown of the total number of meals served showed that 1,051, 619 primary school pupils are currently fed across the seven states of Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Zamfara. No less than 11,847 cooks have also been employed. Altogether 8,587 schools are involved in those States.
He disclosed that more meals will be served this week as Delta and Abia states come on board the school feeding scheme.