Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the State’s Education Sector as the surest path to securing the future of Abia children.
Governor Otti who was speaking at the Umuahia Township Stadium during the 2025 Children’s Day celebration, said his administration is currently undertaking a complete overhaul of the learning architecture in the state to align with modern global standards.
“Today, I am glad to announce the dawn of a new era. We are holistically rebuilding the entire learning architecture in the State to answer to the demands of the new global order”, the Governor declared.
The Governor disclosed that the first batch of 20 smart schools is underway, with an additional 20 scheduled to follow adding that 5,300 teachers have been recruited while another 4,000, with a focus on Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Technology,are set to join them.
He also acknowledged the success of the State’s Free Basic Education Policy introduced earlier in the year, revealing that enrolment figures has surged significantly adding that
that contracts has been awarded for the retrofitting and expansion of hundreds of schools, with more to benefit from new UBEC funding.
Governor Otti recounted how successive administrations had neglected public education, leaving teachers demoralised and infrastructure in ruins and vowed that never again will education be relegated to the background.
“This event presents us a great opportunity to apologise for the poor judgement of the political establishment in times past as it affects the education of our children.
“While I apologise on behalf of all of us, I can assure you that never again will education be relegated to the background in the state of heroes like Michael Okpara, Alvan Ikoku and Jaja Wachukwu”, he said.
The Governor assured Abia children that their future is bright, and expressed optimism that they would grow to become stars and leaders in their chosen fields of interest.
“We shall do our best to provide you with the necessary support to realise your dreams but again, you have to bear in mind that for anyone who desires genuine success, there can be no alternative to hard work and resilience”, Gov Otti advised.
He cautioned children to resist peer pressure, behaviours that could jeopardize their future and encouraged them to actively participate in positive extracurricular activities that promote growth and discipline.
“Apply yourself wholly to your studies, refuse to be distracted and never permit anyone to lure you to bad gang, drugs, crime or behavioural choices that may pose immediate danger to the beautiful future ahead of you”, he said.
Governor Otti commended his wife and First Lady of the State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, for her continued work in child welfare, as well as the Ministry of Women Affairs and other relevant agencies for their role in protecting children from social and environmental hazards.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Maureen Aghaukwa
said the theme of the event “Stand Up, Speak Up, Building a Bullying-Free Generation”, resonates deeply with State’s shared goal of fostering a safe, inclusive, and natural environment for every child.
Aghaukwa said the theme calls on all, adults, peers, and communities to take a stand against bullying in all its forms, to listen when children speak, and to create a society where every child feels valued, safe, and empowered to realize their full potential.
The 2025 Children’s Day Celebration featured Match past by school children from Primary and Secondary Schools across the 17 LGAs of the state, cultural performances, other recreational activities, and presentation of trophies to schools that came first, second and third in various competitions in celebration of the annual event.
