The Osun Government has ordered a full investigation into an alleged food poisoning of 18 pupils at St. James Primary School (B) Owoope in Osogbo.

This is contained in a statement to journalists on Tuesday in Osogbo by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi.

The statement indicated that the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, gave the order and also directed the stoppage of food cooking.

It stated that the affected cooks in the school and their planning officer for the programme had been summoned to a meeting on Tuesday.

It added, ‘‘The governor has directed enforcement of food standards as well as the auditing of O-Meal structure to prevent future occurrence.”

According to the statement, the state government has settled medical bills of affected pupils after they were discharged from an undisclosed hospital.

The Chairman of the Local Government Education Authority, Mr Nathaniel Ojetola, said 18 pupils were treated and discharged.

The statement noted, ‘‘The total student population of the school is 200 while only 103 were within the population receiving food  in the O-Meal programme. Also, a government delegation is visiting families of the affected pupils.’’

(NAN)