Kayode Olanrewaju 
As the curtains were lowered on the 2024 Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) Quiz Competition for public primary school pupils in Ogun State, the pupils and teachers are still savouring their brilliant performance and immense benefits of the competition to the education and well-being of the learners.
The N4HK Initiative, one of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and Nestlé’s flagship programme, was incorporated as a crucial component of the N4HK programme in Nigeria in 2020, which is primarily designed to enhance the recall and retention of the lessons learned by pupils.
Particularly, the N4HK Initiative, which is aimed at helping 50 million children globally lead healthier lives by 2030, is a flagship programme dedicated to fostering healthy habits among the children at young age.
The nutrition quiz programme, which is currently being undertaken in Ogun State, Federal Capital Territory and Lagos State, has so far benefitted 35 primary schools across the two states and FCT; with 20 schools in Ogun State, 10 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and five in Lagos State.
The thrust of the Nutrition Quiz initiative in the country includes a school-based nutrition education and environmental sustainability programme that equips children with the right knowledge to make better decisions regarding their nutrition and the environment, as well as promoting a healthier future.
In this year’s edition of the quiz competition, Oke-Ona United School, Ilugun Elega in Ogun State, and UBE Primary School, Pasali, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) emerged winners. These exceptional students showcased their profound understanding of healthy nutrition, hydration, physical activity and sustainability, which are the core pillars of the N4HK Initiative.
According to Nestle’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka, 135 pupils competed for the title of 2024 N4HK Quiz Champion across Lagos, Ogun and the FCT.
Speaking at the Ogun State Final of the competition held at Methodists Primary School I, Ago-Oko in Abeokuta, she explained that the competition not only reinforces the lessons taught in class, but also ensures that children internalise the information in a memorable way.
At the Ogun State finals OkeOna United School in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, emerged the overall winner in the state with 69 points; while St. Peters Primary School, Siun in Obafemi Owode LGA came second with 61 points, and China Nigeria Friendship School, Igbesa in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area came third with 47 points; and Sokoya Memorial School, Sagamu, Sagamu LGA came fourth with 40 points.
