The Programme Manager, Abia Primary Schools Lunch Programme, Elder Gabriel Chukwuemeka Ahuruonye has revealed that the school feeding initiative of the Abia state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and his wife, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu has increased enrollment and learning in the state.
Fielding questions from newsmen in Umuahia, Elder Ahuruonye who unveiled this, noted that the school feeding programme of the state has also led to increase in public schools; from 861 in 2016 to 1030 in 2020.
Ahuruonye said that the school feeding programme is the signature of Gov. Ikpeazu and wife, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu, adding that the governor considered quality food as the most important necessity of growing children, hence the mandate to feed public primary school pupils five times per week.
This, he, maintained, will improve their cognitive function and enhanced the nutrition security of the society.
He also lauded the developmental/innovative strides of Gov. Ikpeazu in the state within the last five years, expressing delight that he has been consistent with the use of cement technology in the construction of roads with quality drainage systems and street lights.
In his words: “Aba under Gov. Ikpeazu is now the capital of Small and Medium-scale Enterprise in Nigeria and has gradually regaining its lost glory as the Japan of Africa. He has invested so much in Human Capital Development through, skill acquisition, trade and commerce among others”.
This, he, further affirmed, has distinguished Gov. Ikpeazu from other past governors of the state.
Elder Ahuruonye also eulogized the Abia Governor’s wife, Deaconess Ikpeazu, highlighting that she has built over 85 bungalows for indigent widows in the rural communities of Abia, provided instructional materials to public schools, carter for the sick pupils as well as improve Human Capital Development through several skill acquisition programmes among others.
” Abia is the only state where all primary school pupils from Primary One to Six are fed unlike in the National Home-Grown feeding programme where only Primary One to Three are considered. We have fed about 24,815 pupils in the exit class “, he further disclosed.
He called on Abians to be patient, and support Gov. Ikpeazu by paying their taxes promptly adding that the governor is determined to take Abia to the next level and deliver more democratic dividends to the state.