Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has called on all stakeholders to join hands with government to restore education to its former glory.
Governor Otti made the call while speaking at the Centenary Thanksgiving Service of the Uzuakoli Methodist College Old Boys Association (UMCOBA) as part of activities marking the 100th anniversary of Secondary School Education in the South East of Nigeria.
He said; “The task of restoring the glory of education in the State is quite demanding and the State does not have sufficient resources to accomplish all that we have set up to achieve.
“This is where everyone of us including captains of industries, philanthropists must all step in to assist in the comprehensive resuscitation project in educational sector”.
Governor Otti emphasized that education is not only critical but central to development, and added that his government is committed to returning education to the front burner.
L-R, Governor Alex Otti, his wife lady Priscilia Otti and former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke
The Governor while noting that his administration has already sunk billions of naira to the rehabilitation of public schools in the State, disclosed that about 17 primary schools and 17 secondary schools in the State are currently undergoing rehabilitations under the first phase of the programme.
He assured that the rehabilitation of schools would expand to all public schools in the State together with upgrading of the school curriculum.
Governor Otti said he was prepared to engage the Uzuakoli Methodist College, to identify areas of collaboration in rebuilding and restoring the institution.
The Governor commended the evangelism approach of the Methodist Church ,Nigeria which involves social investments including the schools, hospitals, centre for cure for leprosy and rehabilitation of mentally ill individuals among others and stressed the need for other churches to emulate it.
He appreciated the hospitality of Uzuakoli community and efforts of the old boys which contributed to the success recorded in the last 100 years which he said has been rewarding.
“I want to specially thank the old boys association of UZUMECO ably led by Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and all others before him for all they have done to keep the spirit and values of this institution alive , especially in the years when the government shamefully turned its back on the educational sector.
“The historic land of Uzuakoli also deserves our deepest gratitude on a day like this for its traditional hospitality“.
Earlier in an address, the National President of the Association who doubles as the Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor said that the college has provided a formidable pool of human resources whose contributions have been legendary.
Mazi Okoroafor said that the Methodist College Old Boys are now in the process of rebuilding the college and appealed to the Governor to assist them in achieving their dreams.
He thanked Governor Alex Otti for appointing seven of their members in various positions of trust.
The Prelate Methodist Church Nigeria,Dr Oliver Ali Aba represented by the Secretary of Conference Rt. Rev. Dr Babatunde Taiwo commended the Governor for the ongoing rehabilitation of many roads in Umuahia the state capital and encouraged him to consider fixing of internal roads in the college in commemoration of the 100 years anniversary of the college.
The event which attracted many dignitaries including the wife of the Governor Mrs Priscilla Otti,a former Governor of Cross River State Donald Duke, Methodist archbishop of Umuahia the most Rev Chibuzo Opoko, old boys from all walks of life featured the unveiling of the college’s master plan, planting of the centenary tree by the Governor, commissioning of a renovated hall by the Governor and music display by an old Boy and popular gospel artiste BUCHI as well as award presentation to octogenarians in their midst while a minute silence was observed in honour of the old boys who have departed to the great beyond.
