Abia State government has kicked off a free primary schools lunch programme aimed at giving the pupils free meal daily in all public primary schools.

The programme, according to the government, would help “meet the basic nutritional needs of children and expand the opportunity to reach their full potential and significantly enhance the academic performance of the children.”

The programme is to feed a total number of 136, 258 pupils, who will consume 408, 774 fresh eggs, 51, 09, 670 grammes of ofada rice and 68, 120, 000 grammes of beans, weekly.

Flagging off the first phase of the programme at Ntigha primary school in Isiala Ngwa North council, weekend, Governor Ikpeazu said the initiative was borne out of a genuine desire to invest in children who are the future leaders.