Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has reiterated his administration’s commitment to investing in children and building a prosperous future for the state.
Governor Otti made the statement on Wednesday during the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration organised by the Abia State Government at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The Governor while delivering his speech titled “A Responsibility to Dream”, noted that children remain the most valuable resource of society and the driving force behind his administration’s policies and programmes.
He said that his administration has remained focused on creating opportunities and building systems that would enable children to realise their full potential.
Governor Otti added that the state had consistently allocated 20 per cent of its annual budget to the education sector as well as assumed full responsibility for basic public school education with the recruitment of over 5,000 teachers to improve the quality of learning across schools.
The governor stated that every initiative of his government over the past three years had been designed with future generations in mind.
“In Abia, education is our biggest industry and vehicle to a prosperous future.
“No price, and I repeat, no price is too steep to pay because the children we have here are our greatest assets.
“Everything we have done in the last three years, every investment, every initiative is connected to the beautiful future we envision for our children and grandchildren.
“We are investing generously in education because of the significant role it will play in shaping the future you shall inherit”, he said.
Governor Otti also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects across the state, including road networks cut across the three senatorial zones of the state and described them as part of a strategy to build a more prosperous environment for children to thrive.
The governor, however, urged children to remain disciplined, hardworking and focused, while encouraging teachers and parents to continue to play active roles in shaping responsible citizens.
He also called for greater inclusion of children with disabilities in public celebrations and educational activities, insisting that they must not be marginalised in any aspect of society.
Governor Otti commended the First Lady, Mrs Priscilla Otti, and her team for organising the celebration, which feature performances, exhibitions, presentations and match past by pupils and students across the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Maureen Aghukwa, said the celebration was not merely for entertainment but a reminder of the collective responsibility towards children.
She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to child protection, quality education, healthcare and the promotion of opportunities that enable children to grow into responsible citizens.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Goodluck Ubochi, described Abia as fortunate to have leadership that prioritises children’s development, noting that reforms in the education sector were positioning students to compete globally.
He encouraged pupils and students to take advantage of the improved learning environment, remain obedient, and commit themselves to their studies.
In his remarks, the Abia State Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr Izunna Iweobi, also called for collective action against human trafficking.
He expressed the desire of the agency to partner with the state government to sustain the fight of human trafficking.
