Welcome to mjvenntertainment.blogspot.com:AMIDST ECONOMIC HEADWINDS,IKPEAZU TAKES FREE MEALS TO SCHOOLS BY UCHE OLEHI Starting from today,Friday,June 10,2016,select primary schools in Abia state would be enjoying free meals,THE GAZETTE newspaper can authoritatively report. According to Abia official sources,the Governor,Dr Okezie Ikpeazu will this morning,flag off a Free-Lunch programme for primary schools in the state at Amapu -Ntigha Primary School in Isialangwa North Local Government,as part of his campaign promise to provide free meals for indigent pupils. "The Governor believes that such programme will further improve on the well -being of the pupils,while providing jobs for women in the state, as the eggs, rice and all ingredients must be grown in Abia State," Mr Ikechukwu Iroha,former Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media,was quoted as saying. "It's also another way of encouraging food production in high scale". Meanwhile, Abians have been commending the Governor on the Free -Meal Initiative. According to them, the program couldn't have commenced at a better time than now Nigeria is experiencing serious economic hardship. "Ikpeazu is a man of the people. He understands the plight of Abians in particular and Nigerians at large. And this is one way of saying he identifies with their economic challenges",Member,Secondary Education Management Board,Comrade Chidi Ukomadu, said. Similarly,Lagos based business man,Mr Boniface Chinyereugo,also hailed the initiative, while appealing to public -spirited Nigerians to support the laudable project. "Yes,its encouraging. The Governor needs to be supported. Well -to- do Nigerians, especially Abians,should adopt schools for the purpose of the Free Lunch". Also,speaking, the traditional ruler of Mgboko Oria- Efula Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Ngozi Mathias Nwoko gave kudos to Governor Ikpeazu for feeding Abia school children, especially those in the rural areas. "The Governor has done very well. And we can only thank and encourage him. The Free Meal Program is on point and well appreciated by Ndi Abia". THE GAZETTE learnt that,the Free Launch Initiative, proposed earlier by Dr Ikpeazu, was initially delayed to enable government fix the schools and make them more conducive for learning before embarking on the humanitarian exercise. Critics of the program are, however,sceptical as regards its funding,impact and sustainability,given the prevailing national economic quagmire. With additional Report by Gladys Ogbonna (Abia Bureau Chief).