The wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has supported 1,000 pupils from more than 50 public schools across the state’s 17 local government areas under the second edition of the Safe Tent Care Initiative’s Back-to-School Programme.
The initiative is designed to reduce the financial burden on parents, especially those in rural communities and disadvantaged families, by providing children with essential school materials. It also aims to encourage academic excellence and give pupils a better chance to succeed in their education.
The programme received commendations from the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, and other government officials, who described it as an important investment in the education, welfare and future of Abia children.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Otti said the programme was introduced to support families struggling to provide basic educational materials for their children. She added that it was also intended to encourage pupils to take their studies seriously and pursue their dreams.
She conveyed the greetings of Governor Alex Otti and praised his commitment to education and efforts to create an environment where children could learn, grow and develop their talents.
The First Lady explained that the first edition of the programme was launched in September last year and supported approximately 1,000 pupils. She said the second edition was reaching another 1,000 learners from more than 50 public schools across the state.
According to her, the beneficiaries were selected from disadvantaged families, with consideration given to their academic performance. The selection process was carried out in collaboration with ASUBEB and the Office of the Special Adviser on Education.
Mrs Otti said the programme was designed to recognise pupils who were performing well academically while providing practical support to children whose parents faced financial difficulties.
She expressed hope that future editions would reach more than 2,000 pupils, depending on the availability of funds, with particular attention given to children in rural communities.
The First Lady also congratulated pupils from Abia public schools who represented Nigeria at the 2026 International School Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar. The pupils emerged overall champions, winning four major trophies and 12 other awards.
She praised the team leader, teachers, coaches and parents for their contributions to the pupils’ success. She described the achievement as proof that children from public schools could compete successfully on the international stage when given the right support.
Mrs Otti urged the beneficiaries to remain disciplined, respect their parents and teachers, and take their studies seriously. She encouraged them not to allow their family backgrounds or present circumstances to limit their ambitions.
She also commended Governor Otti for prioritising teachers’ welfare through the announcement of a ₦1 billion Teacher Appreciation Fund during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.
“When we support our teachers, we strengthen the foundation of our children’s future,” she said.
The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Lady Lydia Onuoha, also praised Mrs Otti for supporting children from disadvantaged families who had demonstrated academic excellence, particularly those attending rural schools.
She described the intervention, implemented through the Safe Tent Care Initiative, as evidence of a commitment to improving children’s education, welfare and future opportunities.
According to the board, the programme goes beyond distributing school materials, as it also gives children hope, builds their confidence and creates opportunities for a better future.
The board added that the initiative supports the education agenda of the Alex Otti administration, which focuses on quality education, human capital development, improved learning outcomes and equal opportunities for children, regardless of their family backgrounds.
The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Felix, also commended the First Lady for her continued support for children and vulnerable families across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Felix said every child deserved the opportunity to learn, grow and achieve their potential, irrespective of their family’s financial situation.
She noted that the cost of basic school materials remained a major challenge for many parents, making interventions such as the Back-to-School Programme important in helping children continue their education.
According to her, the initiative provides practical assistance to families while encouraging academic excellence and good character among pupils.
In a goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Mr Kenechukwu Nwosu, described the intervention as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to supporting both teachers and pupils.
Nwosu observed that Governor Otti’s announcement of the ₦1 billion Teacher Appreciation Fund, followed four days later by the First Lady’s support for 1,000 pupils, showed the importance of investing in both teachers and learners.
He said teachers and pupils were key parts of the education system and that supporting both groups would help improve the quality of education and learning outcomes across the state.
Nwosu also praised Mrs Otti for her humanitarian activities and commitment to ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds had access to educational opportunities.
Earlier, the Programme Manager of the Safe Tent Care Initiative, Mr Chisom Osoka, said the organisation was established to empower underserved women and children to live with dignity and become more independent.
He explained that the organisation’s vision was to build a society where everyone could access a safe and supportive environment, as well as the educational and healthcare services needed to improve their lives.
Osoka recalled that the Back-to-School Programme began in September last year with 300 pupils at its launch, with an initial target of reaching 1,000 learners.
He said the organisation later extended the programme to more schools and rural communities, with teams travelling across the state’s 17 local government areas to identify and support deserving pupils.
According to him, the second edition has brought together 1,000 pupils from more than 50 public schools across Abia State.
Osoka stressed that investing in children’s education was an investment in human development. He assured that the organisation would continue to support vulnerable families within the limits of available resources.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs Chinenye Nwaka, expressed appreciation to Mrs Otti for extending support to vulnerable families across the state’s 17 local government areas through the Safe Tent Care Initiative.
Nwaka said the programme had brought relief to struggling families and renewed hope among children preparing to return to school.
She noted that the initiative went beyond providing school bags and books, describing it as an investment in children’s future and an encouragement to pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to work towards achieving their dreams.
She also commended the initiative’s team, board members, teachers and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the statewide programme.
