MUAHIA (FIC’s Report) – Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has launched a programme to provide free mid-day meals to pupils in public primary schools in the State, making Abia one of the three States that serve free school meals in public schools. The others are Osun and Kaduna States.

Tagged Abia Free School Meal Initiative, the programme, which is in the pilot stage, is a public/private sector scheme that will be partly funded by Government, donors, farmers and other partners, who have a stake in running the scheme.

At the flag-off ceremony, held at the Amapu Ntigha Primary School, in Isiala Ngwa North local government area, Governor Ikpeazu pointed out that the scheme is one way for public spirited individuals and companies to come together with Government and guarantee better health and learning environment for the leaders of the future. He said this generation owes it a duty to safeguard the next generation and provide them with conducive atmosphere, for them to grow and contribute positively to society

Governor Ikpeazu enumerated numerous benefits of the free school meal to include nurturing healthy children, high academic performance, assist parents by reducing the pressure on household budgets for food, and boosting the local agricultural economy, as all items to be served will be sourced from local farmers and producers.

He said the programme will naturally spur local production of foodstuffs like “öfada” rice, as farmers try to meet the increased demand for local rice, beans and eggs, which are staple of the free school scheme.

The Governor revealed that Government is also considering ways of helping farmers grow capacity to meet the demands. Stakeholders in the agro-processing business are mulling plans of a large scale rice processing plant.

While thanking donors and partners for their support, Governor Ikpeazu called on more individuals and companies to give back to society, by contributing towards the sustenance of the programme.

In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Prince Chris Igwe commended the Governor and his wife for initiating the programme, and thanked all who are contributing to the scheme.

Other stakeholders and partners, including Mr. Raymond Aliga, Mr. Eric Oppa and Commissioner for Education, Professor Ikechi Mgbeoji, all lent their voices to the need to sustain the programme.

The Governor, dressed in chef’s clothing, supported by his wife, later served the children with rice, beans and eggs to signify the commencement of the programme. He also donated school bags, books and football to the benefiting pupils.

Earlier in the event, wife of the Governor and her NGO, Vicar Hope Foundation, had flagged off a State-wide deworming programme for school pupils, as a precursor to the free meal.

Source:http://www.barbaric.com.ng/gov-ikpeaz-introduces-ree-school-meal-initiative/

Meanwhile someone who finds it fun to cut meat and buy foods in the public has refused to feed the citizens of one state like that

How come he is introducing it now that he is about to be driven from office?
Hypocrisy at the highest level!!!

ok