Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced a Business Grant of One Million Naira each to 150 top-performing Graduates
from the Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, formerly Abia State Polytechnic.
Governor Otti who announced this during the 19th–21st combined Convocation Ceremony of the Institution, emphasized that the grant, is aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, and would be awarded to 50 graduates from each of the three Graduating sets.
He noted that beneficiaries are required to submit Business Proposals via email to oggh@abiastate.gov.ng on or before December 31, 2024.
Governor Otti who used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s commitment to transforming the State’s Education Sector, emphasized the need to produce graduates capable of becoming job creators rather than job seekers.
“We are committed to turning the Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba into a Center of Excellence in technical areas of learning where students are trained and equipped as job creators not job seekers , entrepreneurs, masters of opportunities in their environment“, Otti stated.
The Governor decried the politicization and neglect of Education by past administrations, and vowed to allocate 20% of the State’s 2025 Budget to Education, just as he has done for 2024.
He also disclosed that his Government had cleared a Four-year backlog of counterpart funding to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), which has paved the way for the Federal Government support to the Sate’s Education Sector.
“I am happy to announce that earlier this year we paid about four years accumulated counterpart funding of N5billion to the Universal Basic Education.
“UBEC has written to assure us that very shortly the total funds which in my estimation will be over N10billion will be released to us. So there will be more fire power to support Education”, he stated.
Governor Otti announced plans to reconstruct the Institution’s Intra-Campus road network to enhance its aesthetic appeal and revealed that he has already commenced payment of arrears of salaries owed to staff of the Institution by the previous administration.
The Governor further disclosed that he has instructed the Secretary to the State Government and the Accountant General of the state to ensure that the arrears of salaries of the affected staff including those who are no longer in the payroll but were being owed by the past administration are paid.including payments to former staff who are no longer on the Institution’s payroll.
He explained that the decision to rename the Polytechnic after Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a pioneer of excellence and dignity, was a deliberate effort to inspire students, noting that Dr. Onu founded the Polytechnic and exemplified the values of discipline and academic achievement that the Institution seeks to uphold.
Governor Otti congratulated the 6,621 graduands comprising 3,138 National Diploma holders and 3,483 Higher National Diploma recipients and thanked the Management and Governing Council of the Polytechnic for restoring life to the institution.
In his speech, Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Stanley Egege, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to making the Polytechnic a hub for Technological and Entrepreneurial excellence with the vision to produce skilled and competent graduates.
Earlier in an address, the Rector of the Institution, Dr. Christopher Okoro, outlined various strides achieved since his appointment, including the introduction of new programs such as Artificial Intelligence and plans to accredit 16 additional courses.
The event featured the Unveiling of the Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic’s Academic Brief, Foundation laying ceremony of the Perimeter Fencing of the Osisioma Campus, Commissioning of the renovated Rector’s Lodge, Commissioning of the School’s newly reconstructed Main Entrance Gate and the Commissioning of the newly renovated Administrative Building by Governor Otti and was attended by dignitaries including Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, Member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Members of the State House of Assembly, Commissioners, and the Secretary to the State Government.
