The Nestlé for Healthier Kids Schools’ Quiz Competition has kicked off in Abuja.
Nestlé Public Affairs Specialist, Edidiong Peters, said the competition, an assessment mechanism of students’ retention and recall of the School-Based Nutritional Program, was necessary to ensure the success of the program and most importantly ensure that children live healthily.
She said Nestlé for Healthier Kids is a global initiative to ensure 50 million children lead healthier lives by 2030, adding that it is structured to ensure healthy nutrition, healthy hydration, hygiene and maintaining an active physical lifestyle among pupils.
“In Nigeria, the nutrition indicators are not so good and we believe the next generation has a role to play in reversing the negative trend and that is why we are trying to teach them early,” she said.
She said the program has helped in creating a healthier lifestyle for the children, adding that parents were also reached through the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) to get their buy-in.
She said ten schools were chosen in the FCT to create a shared value between Nestlé Nigeria PLC and the communities where it operates.
An official of the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board, Baba Aboki, said the schools are now vying to participate in the program due to its successes in encouraging healthy lifestyle.