The Abia State Government has inaugurated a Safe Schools Steering Committee as part of renewed efforts to safeguard educational institutions and protect learners across the State amid growing security concerns nationwide.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing Journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said the initiative aligns with the State Government’s commitment to ensuring a secure and conducive learning environment for pupils and students at all levels of education.
According to him, the Committee will serve as a multi-sectoral platform responsible for coordinating the State-level implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, develop and monitor safety and protection protocols for schools and engage key Stakeholders across Humanitarian, Civil society groups, the Security and Education sector.
“The Committee will also mobilise financial and technical resources aimed at creating safer learning spaces across Abia State, the Commissioner said.
He explained that the move became imperative in view of emerging security challenges around the country, stressing that the Governor Otti led administration remains proactive in preventing threats rather than reacting to them.
Prince Kanu further announced that schools across the State resumed on today for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session, adding that Education Officers from both Basic and Secondary Education departments have been deployed to monitor compliance in public schools.
The Commissioner revealed that significant progress has been recorded on the State’s Smart School Projects, with major milestones achieved in infrastructure delivery, equipment installation and teacher training.
He disclosed that two Smart Schools are expected to be ready for commissioning by February.
Prince Kanu who also provided updates on the Second Phase of the Teachers’ Recruitment Exercise, which recorded 28,213 applications following the opening of the portal on 6th November 2025 and its closure on 29 November 2025.
According to him, applicants are currently concluding the verification of their submissions, after which they will sit for the Computer-Based Tests (CBT), with successful candidates proceeding to interviews.
“It is important to recall that the Sate Government plans to recruit an additional 4,000 teachers from this exercise, to complement the 5,394 teachers already employed last year”, Prince Kanu stated.
Prince Kanu also highlighted major digital reforms undertaken by the present administration in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Information Officer to include the establishment of a Document Digitization Bureau for land records.
He listed other reforms to include, a centralised Online Recruitment Platform, the redesign of the Abia State Government website, and the rollout of an e-Health project in Six Pilot Hospitals.
He added that laptops have been procured and distributed to senior government officials as part of efforts to fully digitalise government operations.
“In line with the State Government’s efforts to have its operations digitalized, the Office of the Chief Information Officer has recorded some major digital milestones.
“First is the establishment of a Document Installation Bureau, which the Office of the CIO jointly established with the Ministry of Lands, and this is for land records and processing.This is one of the first around these shelves.
“The second milestone is the establishment of a centralized online recruitment platform. This will enable access and equity in Government employment.
“The third digital milestone is the redesigned AbiacState Government website, which now serves as a primary source of all key Government information about the State.
“The fourth and final milestone is the implementation of the e-Health Project with six pilot institutions automating their records and hospital management.
“Finally, let me inform us that in the State Government’s intentionality to digitalize its operations and services, the State Government has procured and distributed laptops to all Senior Government ,Officials.
This is the first of its kind in the state”, Prince Kanu noted.
