Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said that  his government was presently engaged in negotiations to acquire the moribund Star Paper Mill, Aba and bring the industry back to life.
He made this known during a grand civic reception organised in his honour by the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.
Otti said that his government has already made a buyback offer to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria(AMCON), which took over the Paper Mill after it shut down.
The Abia Governor noted that the hitherto blossoming Star Paper Mill had gone under thereby necessitating its takeover by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria(AMCON), which is yet to revive it.

“I grew up here (in Aba), I was born here, I knew how important Star Paper Mill was, not just to Aba, not just to Abia State, not just to the East of the Niger, but to Nigeria,” Otti recalled with nostalgia. As we speak, we know that Star Paper Mill has been taken over by AMCON. (But) one thing you can take to the bank is that under our watch, Star Paper Mill will be back,”Otti assured.

Star Paper Mill, which in its hey day, ranked among Nigeria’s finest producers of exercise books, tissue paper and other paper products, was owned by a renowned Aba-based, Abiriba-born industrialist, Nnanna Kalu.

After his death, his son, (now late) took over the management of the paper mill but the harsh economic climate dealt a devastating blow to the company, forcing it to close down over a decade ago.

Meanwhile, Otti has also promised to restore light to Ohafia Local Government which has been in darkness for over five years following the vandalism of electricity infrastructures in the area.

He said that the cloud of darkness which has been hanging above Ohafia LG, would eventually be disperse as the affected communities would soon have light restored to them.

– Roxettes Group CEO: It’s Inspiring, Defining Moment for Manufacturing

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Nigeria’s indigenous automotive industry are optimistic that good times are imminent following the expected positive impact of the historic bill on local vehicle procurement and the 2025 industrial agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The Local Automotive Industry Patronage Bill, 2025 seeks to make it mandatory for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to procure at least 75 percent of their official vehicles from Nigerian manufacturers.

Reacting to the Vehicle Procurement Bill, the  Roxettes Group, a major player in local motor manufacturing and assembly, lauded the Senate for coming up with the “visionary piece of legislation”.

Group Chairman/CEO of Roxettes Group, Dr Kaycee Orji, said that it was a welcome development that both the Presidency and the National Assembly are demonstrating a shared ensure to uplift Nigeria’s manufacturing sector through legislative action and intentional policy.

“This Senate bill aligns perfectly with the robust policy direction laid out by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has within the first half of 2025 launched three landmark industrial policies,” he said.

Tinubu’s industrial policy thrust is hinged on a tripod of Nigeria First Policy, which mandates all MDAs to prioritize Nigerian-made goods and services; End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Policy, and Credicorp Mobility and Manufacturing Credit Scheme(CMMCS).

The ELV introduced a sustainable recycling ecosystem for decommissioned vehicles and promoting environmental responsibility while the CMMCS unlocks structured credit access for individuals and enterprises to acquire locally manufactured vehicles, machines, and equipment.

Orji described the unfolding legislative and policy frameworks as “a defining moment for Nigerian manufacturing” adding that it signals that “Nigeria is rising, and we are proud to be part of the vanguard of that rise”.

According to him, “these policies, taken together, signal the boldest government-led push for industrial renewal in recent Nigerian history”.

He said: “It is a clear message that President Tinubu is not only serious about reviving manufacturing – but is taking practical steps to empower it through procurement, sustainability, and credit financing.

“We are deeply inspired by the unprecedented alignment between the Presidency, the National Assembly, and key agencies like NADDC and CREDICORP”.

The Roxettes Group, through its subsidiary, the Roxettes Motors, which is the first motor manufacturing and assembly company to be located in Abia State, has started rolling out different vehicle brands at Obuaku City, Ukwa West Local Government.

“We at Roxettes are excited, ready, and already positioned with CKD capacity, electric vehicles, CNG systems, and end-to-end industrial solutions to support the implementation of these policies,” the Group  Chairman said.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo  in Umuahia 

Abia State government’s policy of running sport as business has begun to attract investors to the sector, with the emerging sport industry being driven by private and public partnership(PPP). 

Among the early investors is Fifty 1 Alliance, which  has partnered government to set up the Abia State Football Supalig 5-a-Side Championship which would kickoff on May 7, 2025 with eight participating clubs.

Speaking at the official launch of the tournament at the Fifty 1 Alliance Sports Centre, Umuafor Aba, the Chairman of the sports investment/promotion firm, Mr. Dike Dimiri said that Abia was ripe for a thriving sports industry.

“There is something enormous going on in sports in Abia. And I ask sports investors to key into the Abia State sports industry,” he said.

He noted that the Abia Governor, Alex Otti has done a lot to encourage investors to come to the state hence his decision to invest in sports and encourage other investors to follow suit.

Dimiri explained that though eight clubs have been slated to participate in the Supalig 5-a-Side Football tournament, adjustments would be made if the required number did not register before the commencement.

He stated that matches would be played on natural grass every Wednesday and would run for 12 weeks, adding that “it is better for us to play on natural surface than on synthetic (artificial) surface”.

Not only that, the organisers have also made arrangements to broadcast the tournament live on radio and stream it on U-Tube with “all participating clubs getting maximum exposure”.

The Fifty 1 Alliance has already put down N10 million prize money for the tournament with the overall winner expected to go home with N3.5 million while every team would be rewarded according to their ranking on the table.

The Alliance boss said that the tournament which is a private-public project was purposely organised as part of efforts to grow the Abia economy by attracting corporate sponsorships in sports.

He also announced that a cycling tournament and  Abia Sports ĚÇĐÄĘÓƵ Conference would come up in due course to further boost the sport industry in the state.

“We want to develop our sports people to participate in international competitions,” Dimiri said, adding that Fifty 1 Alliance was committed to achieving this goal for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Abia State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba was on hand to launch the 5-a-Side Championship and received the cheque for the N10 million prize money from the Fifty 1 Alliance.

He commended the Alliance Chairman for investing in Abia’s sport industry, describing him as “a dogged entrepreneur and lover of sports”.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State did the unusual over the weekend as he apologised to the students of the Abia State University Uturu (ABSU) over the deplorable state of facilities at the institution.

He was confronted with the decay in the state-owned ivory tower during an unscheduled visit to the institution after attending church service at the Assemblies of God Church, Item Street Umuahia.

Otti, who expressed utter shock at what he saw during the on-the-spot assessment of ABSU, promised quick action, assuring the students that he would fix the institution and halt the decay.

Though ABSU did not degenerate to its current deplorable condition under his present Abia government, Otti acknowledged that government is a continuum hence his apology on behalf of government.

He said that “I couldn’t have believed” that things have gone so bad in ABSU if not that he came to see things for himself.

The governor who was received on arrival by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ndukwe Okudo, immediately proceeded with the tour and assessment of the facilities.

He inspected the ABSU Staff Primary School, the old Law Faculty Building, and the proposed site for the new 5,000 capacity students hostels for both male and female students.

Otti directed the demolition of the staff school and immediate reconstruction so that the pupils would have a befitting environment for learning.

He asked the VC to make alternative arrangement for their relocation while the reconstruction lasts.

While addressing the students who trooped out of their hostels to welcome their governor, Otti said he was saddened by the ugly condition or facilities at the university and tendered apology to the surprise of the students.

“I just came to see things for myself. And I thought I should take you and the university management by surprise. I’m happy to see you, but I’m very unhappy with the state of the facilities.

“The conditions under which you live cannot allow you to do any academic work. For those of you who do well under these conditions, we must congratulate you,” he said.

Otti assured the students of his unwavering commitment to fix the state-owned tertiary institution and make it conducive for learning and research.

He acknowledged the students’ resilience and ability to excel despite the challenging conditions, adding that the essential amenities needed to make the academic community conducive for learning, such as power, potable water, among others, would be provided.

The governor further directed the ABSU VC to come up with an organised and phased approach of making the hostels habitable while the new ones are being constructed.

He also gave the ABSU chief executive the marching order to build a functional cafeteria for the students, noting that it is unhygienic and risky to have cooking stoves, kerosene, and pots in the hostels.

“I don’t want to see stoves, kettles, kerosene, and those kinds of things in the rooms. I will give you about three months to build a functional cafeteria,” he told the VC to the delight of cheering students.

The governor informed the students of his decision to relocate both Faculties of Law and Agriculture from Umuahia back to Uturu “so that all of you will be in one place”.

“The designs for the faculties and the 5,000 students’ capacity hostel have already been completed, and work will start in the next one week,” he said, adding that the facilities would be ready in four months’ time.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

There would no longer be any. legal team defending Nnamdi Kanu when his trial resumes on Friday March 21, 2025 before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court Abuja, his family has said.

This was made known Tuesday in a statement by the spokesman of the family, Emmanuel Kanu, younger brother of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB).

Emmanuel said Kanu “would be taking the bold step of defending himself in court” and would no longer be relying on legal counsels to plead his cause as had been obtainable since his trial began in 2023.

“This development signals a critical juncture in this case that has already exposed deep-seated concerns about the Nigerian judiciary’s handling of matters tied to the legitimate agitation for Biafra self-determination,” he said.

The family spokesman explained that “Onyendu (Kanu)’s shift to self-defense underscores our distrust in a system perceived to be stacked against us and the cause he champions.”

According to him, Kanu’s decision to do away with lawyers was intentional as “the absence of traditional legal representation will dismantle the usual, ‘as my lord pleases’ constraints that govern judicial proceedings in Nigeria.”

Emmanuel noted that the usual over indulgence of judges by lawyers “has for decades allowed the courts to brazenly subvert the cause of justice under a cloak of deference that shield rather than expose injustice.”

He stated that by defending himself in court, “the very foundations of the institutional bias that has long plagued (Kanu’s trial) will be laid bare for the world to see.

“This decision by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu comes on the heels of successfully forcing the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako that brazenly defied the Supreme Court of Nigeria through her selective implementation of determination contained in their judgement,” he said.

Emmanuel, however, regretted that the recused Justice Nyako “was hell-bent on convicting a person for exercising a right that the laws of Nigeria stated unambiguously that he could (enjoy such right).”

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

As farming season fast approaches, the federal government has been urged to take all necessary measures to remove all encumbrances on farm lands so that food production can resume across the nation.

The Vice-chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, made the call at a media chat to mark his fourth anniversary in office.

He lamented that farm lands across parts of the country, including the traditional food belts of the nation have been rendered inaccessible to farmers due to terrorist activities.

“Agricultural lands must be combed and all encumbrances removed to enable people go back to their farms and grow food,” he said.

Prof. Iwe blamed the encumbrances on farm lands for the prevailing high cost of food and the general hunger in the land, noting that many farmers have been killed, crops destroyed and farm lands out of bound.

He warned that the drive for Nigeria to become self-sufficient in food production would remain a mirage if farmers remain separated from their farms in North East, North West and North Central zones.

The MOUAU VC also called for adoption of smart agriculture as a way of making everybody to get involved in food production, saying that “hunger is prevailing and the need for people to say give us something to eat is still there”.

He said that Nigeria was still grappling with food insecurity because the consciousness to solve the problem is still lacking among the citizenry.

According to him, the major issue as it concerns food insecurity, just like other national problems, is whether we, as a people, are ready to help ourselves overcome the problems.

He said: “It is possible to feed Nigeria if we are conscious that we have to feed Nigeria. It is possible to have balanced diet if we’re conscious that we have to eat balanced diet. It is possible to for the rich and the poor to have food in Nigeria if we’re conscious of that”.

The MOUAU VC, who is an expert in food science and technology, explained that smart agriculture entails people cultivating one crop or another in gardens around homes thereby making food readily available, adding that it was the practice in the past.

He said that Nigerians must lose their appetite for foreign foods and heed what  government and universities of agriculture have been preaching for Nigerians to “produce what you eat and eat what you produce”.

On the ongoing move to change the status of MOUAU and convert it from specialised to conventional university, the VC kicked against it, saying that such a change would have negative effect.

The bill seeking to change the status of the institution being championed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has already scaled through second reading.

But Prof. Iwe alluded that those behind the bill did not consult before embarking on the mission to change MOUAU to conventional university hence he noted that a think tank for Abia State devoid of politics was long overdue.

“This University is a historical university,” he said, adding that it was set up for the South-East to complete the tripod of universities of agriculture across the nation.

He stated that while “we appreciate anything anybody is doing to show that he loves MOUAU, Abia State and Ndigbo” the idea of changing the status of the institution should be considered as a disservice to Ndigbo.

Iwe recalled that MOUAU came about after the federal government established the University of Agriculture in Makurdi for the North and the one in Abeokuta for the South West, thereby sparking clamour to have one for the South East.

He explained that the University of Agriculture for the South-East was intentionally named after the late Premier of the defunct Eastern Region because “Nigeria knows Michael Okpara as a great achiever in agricultural entrepreneurship”.

The MOUAU Chief Executive said that what Abia State needs is another federal university and the earlier the better as tension is already growing over the planned conversion of the existing federal university.

“I think we should all go for another federal university and let MOUAU grow and achieve its mandate,” he said.

Prof. Iwe, who has now entered the final one year lap of his five-year tenure, showcased his score card so far, saying that he has remained focused to achieve his vision for MOUAU.

He said that after the initial encumbrances “things have clicked and things are going fine” paving the way for landmark achievements, including the commencing work on the permanent site of MOUAU.

Iwe, who is the sixth MOUAU VC, said that he has lifted the institution which was down when he assumed office on March 3, 2021, adding that new programmes have been introduced in engineering, agriculture and management sciences.

He also said that his administration has set up new centres on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Agricultural Incubation and Innovation, adding courses lost six years ago were on the verge of being restored.

Prof. Iwe appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lift the ban on recruitment in the universities to enable the institution fill the vacancies created by lecturers swept away by the japa syndrome.

•Flags-off reconstruction of 11.1km Owaza-Obehie road

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Governor Alex Otti has rekindled the hope of Abia’s oil producing communities, saying the era of neglect has come to its end as the area is now readied for accelerated development.

He gave the assurance yesterday when he flagged-off reconstruction of the 11.1 kilometre Obehie-Umudobia-Owaza road in Ukwa West Local Government, saying the road would be ready in 12 months.

The oil bearing communities of Abia are located in Ukwa West, an area which has over the years been receiving the short end of the stick in terms of development.

But speaking at St. Ann Secondary School, Obehie Asa, venue of the flag-off event, Otti said that Ukwa would witness significant changes in due course.

“This project is therefore not just about creating access to the towns and villages along these corridor, it is more about reviving dormant economic assets, opening new horizons and reigniting the dreams that once stirred the souls of our fathers,” he said.

According to him, the completion of the Obehie-Owaza road which links the communities in Ukwa West would boost marketability and viability of the Abia Industrial and Innovative Park(AIIP).

In addition, the governor said the establishment of a modular refinery, which according to him, the federal government has approved, would further bring development to the oil-producing area.

He said the planned modular refinery to be cited inside the AIIP at Owaza, Ukwa West LG “will be built by H.I.S. Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited”.

“I’ll like to inform you that just a few days ago, we got the good news that the federal government has approved a modular refinery which would be cited inside the AIIP,” he told the cheering crowd.

Otti gave assurance his government would provide “every support we can give” we work together to create a robust industrial cluster that will accelerate the rapid socio-economic development of the area and fast track the restoration of the years that has been lost to poor leadership”.

“Today, we officially declare that the era of neglect of Ukwa and all the communities within the land is over.

“Ukwa shall no longer be a forgotten place. Your land will yield forth its best fruits and your barns shall never be empty again. You will enjoy the riches of the environment and the oil in your land shall bring you boundless prosperity,” he said .

Otti further assured the oil communities that they “will not only get what is due (them) at the resource allocation table” but would enjoy the benefits of the interventionist agencies.

To this end, Otti said that various levers of his administration “shall collaborate extensively” with the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission(ASOPADEC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), among others “to restore the years that have been lost to the politics of exclusion and deceit”.

Otti granted a number of requests made by community leaders in their respective addresses, saying that the Umuzike – Obokwe – Ngwaiyiekwe road would soon be flagged-off for reconstruction as contained in the 2025 budget.

He promised to restore electricity to Asa land before the end of this March and directed the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, to visit the area and find out all what it would take to restore electricity in the area.

On the issue of potable water, the Abia governor said that he has already put in place modalities to solve the water problem in many Abia communities, adding that he had declared a state of emergency in the water sub-sector.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The federal government has been urged to leverage the endogenous technology to ensure the sustainable development of the oil and gas sector of the economy, as well as agro-allied industries.
Experts in engineering, technology and agriculture made the call at the second edition of Research and Innovation Fair/Conference of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State.

In a communique issued at the end of two-day event which concluded at the weekend, the participants emphasised the need for Nigeria to adopt indigenous (endogenous) technology to minimise dependence on foreign technologies in critical sectors of the economy.
The conference brought together leading experts, policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to deliberate on the theme, ‘Leveraging Endogenous Technology for the Sustainable Development of the Nigerian Oil and Gas and Agro-Allied Industries’.

“There is a need for government policies and incentives to support homegrown technological solutions and innovations in the Nigerian oil and gas and agro-allied industries,” the experts said.

They also called for increased investment in research and development, “to foster innovation in local industries”, adding that “stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and government is essential for translating research findings into practical solutions”.
The conference noted that climate change, “remains a significant threat to Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial sectors, necessitating proactive mitigation and adaptation measures.”
“The adoption of a circular economy approach can enhance sustainable industrialization, reduce waste, and optimize resource use,” the participants stated in the communique.
According to them, sustainable industrial chemical production, particularly in the petrochemical sector, should be prioritized to reduce environmental impact and enhance efficiency.
In addition, the conference made a number of recommendations to the Federal Government, including the establishment of Rssearch and Development Council which would ensure, “effective utilization of funded research outcomes.”

It said that researches should be market-driven and that such researches that are government-approved and have outcomes should “be ready to be deployed in industrial operations”.
The conference participants further recommended fostering of collaboration and partnerships among academia, industry, and government to promote sustainable development.
While harping on training and capacity-building programs for researchers and professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge, they emphasized sustainability in all aspects of research and innovation, aligning with the United Nations’ SDGs.

The conference/fair organised by the MOUAU Directorate of University Research Administration (DURA), in collaboration with the MOUAU Extension Centre (MEC), provided a platform for meaningful discourse on the role of endogenous technology in national development.
The Vice-chancellor of MOUAU reiterated the institution’s commitment to fostering research and innovation that will drive sustainable industrial and economic growth in Nigeria.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has stated that he has successfully prevented “criminals” from getting appointments in his government in order to keep the integrity of his administration intact.

He also vowed he would never negotiate with the ruinous politicians that plundered Abia and set the state backwards for several years.

A government house press release issued Monday by the chief press secretary to the Abia Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, said that Otti spoke about his battle with “the criminals” during two separate church services he attended on Sunday.

He worshipped with the congregations at the Master’s Vessel Church, Umuahia North and the Power World Ministry International, Umuahia South.

Otti said that after destroying Abia, the same people that wreaked the havoc started lobbying and seeking attention in order to be brought into his government.

However, he declared that after he has shut the door against the undesirable elements, they resorted to blackmail and false information against his administration so he could invite them for negotiations.

“Ours is a government that has integrity; we will never negotiate with criminals,” Otti declared with an air of finality.

After dethroning the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Otti who had won the poll on the platform of the Labour Party, has been enduring a rash of blistering criticisms from his opponents.

He chose to use the platform of the churches to launch counter attack on his opponents, saying that “some of them have resorted to attacks in the media”.

According to him, the same people attacking had “started by applying” for political appointments, telling him that “you need us to run a government,(but) we politely declined (as) darkness and daylight have no meeting points”.

“And the next thing they do is to start attacking you thinking you would call them for negotiations”.

The Abia State governor absolved his government of all the charges of wrongdoings by the opposition, insisting that “we are not doing anything wrong”.

However, referencing the portion of the Bible that says, “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach” Otti said that he does not claim to be righteous, only that his administration would not purposely engage in wrongdoing.

He said: “We will not deliberately do the wrong thing. You may hear some people making noise left, right, and center; it is because they are used to things being done in the wrong way, and we have come to say no”.

“So, if you bring something that is wrong to us, we are not afraid to say no”.

Otti told the cheering congregations that he has come to restore the dignity of Abians, who are hard-working people and only need “enabling environment” to soar high.

He promised that “after the restoration of our infrastructure, the next thing is restoring the dignity of Abians” so they could hold their heads high and excel in their chosen professions.

The Abia chief executive explained that if basic amenities such as roads with good drainages, clean environment, power, good education, good healthcare system are made available, people would fend for themselves without disturbing government.

He assured the church worshippers that his administration was already working hard to restore that culture of hard work and contentment among Abia people by creating the enabling environment for them to attain  their life goals.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

With the dust raised by his open admiration of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, yet to settle, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has again stirred the hornets’ nest.

Wabara was on February 11, 2025 suspended by the leadership of Abia State chapter of PDP for appreciating the achievements of Governor Otti and even endorsing him for second term in office.

Though the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP promptly dismissed the suspension order, the Abia PDP leadership has refused to budge.

But on Sunday, Wabara for the first time publicly reacted to the sanction imposed on him, saying that nobody can gag him from commenting on the good things happening in his state, Abia since Otti came to power.

The former Senate President spoke in Umuahia during the 80th anniversary celebration of a former Secretary to the Abia State Government (SSG), Dr Emelike Okoro. He defiantly called the bluff of his state party leadership.

Wabara doubled down on his praises of Otti, reminding everyone that he would not because of party politics not speak on his state. 

He said that he first became a citizen of Abia before becoming a politician and member of PDP or any other party he had belonged to.

The PDP BoT Chairman in defiance told his detractors that “I will be one of those who will continue to appreciate” Governor Otti for giving Abia a new lease of life.

“I have not mentioned Labour Party, I have always mentioned Governor  Otti. We are all with you,” Wabara declared in the presence of the Abia governor, who was at the event.

Wabara, who was sacked as Pro-Chancellor of the Abia State University Uturu(ABSU) by then governor, Okezie Ikpeazu for speaking out against the zoning policy of Abia PDP, was in his usual devil-may-care frankness.

He noted that as a citizen of Abia State, there was no reason he should be indifferent to the happenings in the state, politics or no politics, adding that his party membership won’t blindfold him from observing Otti’s good works.

“Before becoming a PDP card-carrying member, before becoming an NRC card-carrying member in this State, I, Adolphus Nduneweh Wabara, was first and foremost a citizen of Abia.

“Politics ends after campaigns, after elections, and then you start thinking of governance. Even a blind man can see what is happening in Abia. And, I am saying it again. Maybe now since they said I was suspended, they can now expel me,” Wabara said.

The former Abia South Senator stated that Otti, who they never wanted to be governor, has turned out to be the one pulling Abia out of the ruins of bad governance.

He encouraged the Abia Governor, saying: “Sir, continue with the works; our ancestors in Abia are with you”, adding that nobody can sanction him for speaking the truth.

Wabara humorously asked those dishing out suspensions in Abia PDP to consider going on air the next day to suspend the celebrant and PDP chieftain, Dr. Emelike Okoro, for permitting Governor Otti’s presence in his birthday celebration. 

 Wabara, who vowed that nobody can suspend him in the PDP for speaking the truth that everyone can see, declared that he would continue to appreciate Governor Otti for the good works he is doing.

“I will be one of those who will continue to appreciate you. I have not mentioned labour Party; I have always mentioned Governor Alex Otti. We are all with you.,” the Wabara stated.

Governor Otti, in his remarks at the event congratulated Dr Okoro on his 80th birthday, noting that his relationship with the octogenarian transcends politics as he is like a father and mentor to him.

He reiterated that his administration has no room for segregation, adding that his stance remains that whoever is living in Abia and doing the things expected of a citizen, is entitled to be an Abian.

Otti urged those still wallowing in primordial sentiments to wake up and embrace the new Abia that his administration is building which is anchored on excellence, capacity, competence, equity.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State has decided to go full blast into the upstream petroleum sector in order to enhance its capacity as an oil and gas producing state and further grow its economy.

Oil and gas production in Abia’s Ukwa West Local Government, which was hitherto undertaken by the SPDC has been taken over by the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of NNPCL, which operates the OML 11 at Owaza.

But the Abia Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu told journalists Tuesday, after a meeting of the State Executive Council, that the state intends to activate its uncapped oil wells.
The uncapped oils, estimated at 100 in number strand both Ukwa West and Ukwa East Local Governments, though production activities have been concentrated only at Owaza, Ukwa West.
To activate the capped oil wells, Kanu said that government has set up a special purpose vehicle(SPV) through which it would go into oil production thereby enhansing Abia’s status as an oil producing state.

He said that the SPV was set in partnership with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) with Abia controlling 40 percent equity stake, PETAN 25 percent while 35 percent would be taken by other private investors.

“And when fully operational this would enable the state government to produce both gas and oil which of course would support the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park(AIIP) project,” Kanu said.

Kanu also stated that the Modular Refinery Project being constructed at the AIIP was very much on course, adding that “the company behind the project, HSI Engineering is committed to birthing (the modular refinery) before the end of this year.”

According to the Abia government spokesman, HSI Engineering has made significant process in keeping to the project  completion timeline.

“They have recorded some very impressive milestones that speaks to their intention to commence full refining business before the end of this year,” Kanu stated.

The Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof. Joel Ogbonna said that Abia was now ready for “real business: in the oil and gas sector by taking advantage of its rich oil resource to develop the state’s economy.

He pointed out that government has commenced compensation for the 1,933 hectares of land it acquired in Owaza, Ukwa West for the Abia State Industrial Innovation Park.

According to him,  it was based on Governor Otti’s “usual way of doing things (that) we needed to make sure we pay the compensation which may have delayed whatever we wanted to do”

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The newly-elected President General, PG, of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta Mbata has been assured that governors of the seven Ohanaeze Ndigbo states would provide a sure footing for him to succeed in his assignment.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia gave the assurance when he received Mbata and his Deputy, Prince Okey Nwadinobi, at his Umuehim Nvosi Country Home, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

He said the collective interest of his brother governors from the states that make up the Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the development and unity of the people.

A government house press release said the brand new Ohanaeze president general and his deputy, visited Otti Tuesday to express their personal gratitude for his support and that of other governors in the recently conducted Ohanaeze Ndigbo election.

Otti said that Mbata is a good choice for Ohanaeze leadership, noting that he has known the PG for decades and therefore harbours no doubt that he would succeed in the onerous duty of leading Ndigbo.

His words: “I know your capacity and know what you stand for. I have no doubt that in this role, you will continue to do what you have been known for, which is consistency, truthfulness, fairness, equity, and transparency.

“I can vouch for you. I was very pleased when you showed interest. My colleagues and I also looked at it, and we said if people like this are showing interest, they should be given an opportunity.”

He acknowledged that the new Ohanaeze executives have tough job cut out for them.

The Abia governor told Mbata that he and his executives can count on the support of seven governors of the states covered by Ohanaeze.

According to Otti, “the seven of us all consulted, we all met, sometimes virtually. None of us has any personal interest. Our interest is the development and unity of our people” hence their readiness to make Ohanaeze live up to expectations.

“We all agreed that this time around, Ohanaeze should be focused on uniting the people, creating that leadership of our heritage, so that we can all do well as a people.”

Senator Mbata had earlier in his speech, thanked Governor Otti and the other governors, acknowledging that they actually made his emergence as Ohanaeze PG possible on January 10, 2025.

He noted that the presence of the governors during the election that produced the new National Executives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo signifies the importance that Otti and his colleagues attached to the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization.

Mbata, who had represented Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, assured that his Ohanaeze leadership “will consult, collaborate, and cooperate with (Otti and his brother governors) all the way” to pursue and achieve common goals.

He also lauded Otti for the great work he is doing in Abia, saying that “I have known you sufficiently to know that this is exactly what is going to happen. I didn’t expect anything less”.

“We are hoping that we would be able to tap into your wealth of experience as somebody well-grounded within the private and public spheres. Your approach and perspective to issues will be a lot more different,” Mbata said.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Some civil society groups have called on the federal government to end what it described as the “profound injustice” by ending 30 months incarceration of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from the detention of the Department of State Service (DSS).

The groups, Rising Sun Foundation Inc. USA and Ambassadors for Self Determination, said the FG should release Kanu in obedience to the several local and international rulings that called for his release.

“Our message is clear: we must insist that the Nigerian authorities adhere to the directives of the United Nations Human Rights Council, respect the rulings of our courts, and respond to the moral imperatives of justice by releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu without delay,” the groups said.

A joint statement was endorsed by the trio of Chief Maxwell Dede Emole, Nduru Chebe Oha, and Dr. Remy Okea for Rising Sun Foundation, and Engineer Evans Nwankwo, Engineer Benjamin Nwankwo for Ambassadors for Self Determination.

The groups stated that Kanu’s continued detention has become embarrassingly worrisome, adding that it has become a ticking time bomb for potential unrest.

“The urgency of our situation calls for immediate action, as the fuse is growing shorter by the day,” the groups said.

Explaining their reasons for lending voices to the call for Kanu’s freedom, the groups said they could no longer remain silent in the face of injustice hence joined other “conscientious and freedom-loving citizens of the Igbo nation and beyond” to demand freedom for the  IPOB leader.

“As he marks 30 months of unjust incarceration, it is imperative that we amplify our voices against this blatant violation of his rights, especially in light of several court orders demanding his unconditional release. As we reflect on the last 30 months, we must recognise that time is of the essence,” the groups said.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has said how much the South-east geopolitical zone would benefit from the tax reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu would depend on the resolution of the insecurity issue in the zone. Abaribe stated this yesterday while fielding questions from journalists after paying a Yuletide visit to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, at his Nvosi country home.

Abaribe spent quite some time with the governor discussing issues of governance in the state.

The Abia South senator said that Tinubu’s tax bill was aimed at boosting production, and there was no way a zone noted for production, like the South-east, would gain from it if Kanu was not released to end insecurity.

He stated, “The president wants to pass a tax bill that has to do with production. You cannot tax people who don’t produce. So, he needs Nnamdi Kanu out so that all those things that are holding us down in the South-east, that have made us not to produce as much as we ought to produce, will not be there.”

Abaribe reiterated that Igbo leaders and all Nigerians that believe in unity, justice and fairness would “continue to call on President Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu”.

He said, “We are ready and willing to be guarantors for him to be released so that we can have life coming back into the South-east and take it away from the criminals, kidnappers, the cultists and dangerous elements that are floating around us.”

The senator, who is Chairman of the South-east caucus in the National Assembly, said setting Kanu free from detention would isolate the criminal elements masquerading as Biafra agitators.

He said, “What we now know in the South-east is that criminals and all other people who advocate violence have taken over and using the name Nnamdi Kanu to perpetuate all these their despicable acts.

“We know that the president, being a listening leader, will also look at all the issues involved, which we have presented to him from various mediums, that he will do the needful and release Nnamdi Kanu so that it will put a stop to all these things that are happening in the South-east and bring back the South-east as the hub of production in Nigeria.”

On his assessment of Otti’s performance so far, Abaribe said the governor of his state was doing well, adding that Otti’s good works would pave the way for his second tenure come 2027.

“I think second tenure is still very far away but I do not see any stumbling block on the way if we go by what he has done at this point,” he said.

Abaribe, who got his fourth term mandate on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), explained that he came to visit Otti because of their shared interest on good governance.

He stated, “Even though my party is APGA and his party is Labour, we feel that we have gone beyond party, and we are now at the point of governance.

“So, I came to encourage him, he’s done so well and we wanted to make sure that we continue to inspire him to do much more for the people of Abia.”

Abaribe added, “Let me say this, I come from Aba; he has done tremendously well in infrastructure, the whole infrastructure in Aba. I have driven around; I have seen everything.”

He said he would continue to encourage Otti “to continue in the path that he has chosen”.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The Abia State Government has revoked, with immediate effect, the contracts for the management of its four farm estates spread across the state, saying that the managers were failing in their contractual obligations.

Termination of the contracts was rather a shocking New Year gift presented to the contractors that have been managing the state-owned cocoa, cashew, oil palm and rubber estates.

The Abia Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, announced the revocations in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying that “the directive takes effect from 1st January 2025”.

He said that all the affected investors should “discontinue every activity in all the affected  farms forthwith”.

Agbaeze explained that government took the decision “following a careful review of the existing contracts on the state’s farm estates across the zones”.

According to him, it has become obvious that the contracts “were entered into under terms and conditions that are detrimental to the state and her interests”.

“It has further been observed that even the stated terms and conditions of these contracts have been substantially and serially breached by the so-called investors,” Agbaeze stated.

The agric commissioner justified the contract revocations, insisting that “it would be irresponsible of this government to allow these breaches to continue nor further subject the state to such clearly compromised conditions”.

“This administration has a sacred duty to preserve the state’s resources for the greater good of all Abians in its quest to restore the state to its lost glory,” he said.

Agbaeze specifically named the affected contractors as Providence Resources Ltd. in charge of Abia Cocoa Farm Estate, Agbozu; Manglore Farms Ltd. for Abia Cashew Estate, Umunneochi.

Others are South Estate Farm and Agro Investment  Processing Company – Ukwa Nkporo Oil Palm Estate; and Great Nobles Integrated Ltd., which manages Ameke and Ndi Oji Abam Rubber Plantations.

The commissioner said that “a fresh open bidding process will be initiated shortly to bring in more credible investors into those farm estates under favourable terms and conditions”.

He stated that the fresh contract terms would “not only be transparent but also best protect the interests of the state and her people and aligns with international best practices”.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Senator Austin Akobundu has expressed his strong belief in youth empowerment, saying that providing opportunities for youths to learn skills in digital technology was a sure way to enhance human capital development.

The Abia Central Senator stated this at the event in Umuahia marking the conclusion of a six-week digital skills training programme for youths in his constituency.

The six-week programme focused on six high demand areas of digital technology, namely Cybersecurity operations, Graphics Design, Digital marketing, Website development, forex trading and UI/UX design.

In his address at the graduation ceremony held at the training centre, NostroCom House, Ogurube Layout Umuahia, the Senator noted that digital skills are not just tools for individual success.

“I invested in this programme because I firmly believe that empowering our youth is the most sustainable way to build the human development index of Abia Central Senatorial district and create a brighter future for all,” he said.

According to him, such skills represent path ways to innovation, economic productivity and community development, hence he charged the beneficiaries to create businesses that will contribute positively to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

This last batch of trainees has notched up the number of beneficiaries to 186 for 2024 while a total of 1,000 youths are billed for training in 2025.

The Abia Central Senator stated that youths from the 62 Wards in the district were the main targets of the training programme, adding that a deliberate selection method had been put in place to guarantee equitable representation.

He explained that the transformative skills development programme was his personal project initiated and being implemented through the Austin Akobundu Foundation, adding that no external funding was involved.

“Let me emphasize that this programme is not sponsored by any agency. It is an initiative of the Senator Augustine Akobundu Foundation, funded solely from my personal resources,” the Senator said.

Though Akobundu didn’t specify how much he has invested in the programme, he acknowledged that millions of naira has been spent cumulatively to make the programme a success.

He assured the beneficiaries of his continued support to deploy the skills and knowledge they acquired for their personal livelihoods and economic development of their local communities and Abia in general.

Apart from certificate presentation, the event also featured presentation of awards to six best participants that excelled in various aspects of the digital training.

The award winners include, Nwaeke Godson Chinonyerem (Forex), Wisdom Ezeocha John (Graphics design) Great Chioma Mary (Digital marketing), Gbaruko Chidozie Godwin (Cyber Security), Emole Peter Adimchinaobi (UI/UX) and Nwokoma Oddy (Website design).

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Umuahia have been made feel the joy of the yuletide celebration through the charitable activities of the Global Compassion Coalition (GCC), an international non-governmental organisation.

The over 800 inmates of the Custodial Centre were fed with sumptuous meals, just as other Nigerians were in joyous mood of the 2024 Christmas festivities.

GCC carried out its charitable gesture through its Nigeria chapter, the Compassion Connectors Nigeria, in partnership with the Dorcas Foundation and Nigeria’s 2024 Paris Paralympic gold and silver medalists, Onyi Gift Mark and Ogechi Nwogu, respectively.

President of the Compassion Connectors Nigeria, Crusader Uche Uwalaka, told journalists that the organisation has the passion of helping the poor and prison inmates hence the visit to the Custodial Centre to make them feel the essence of Christmas.

He stated that the Nigeria chapter was currently implementing a prison project tagged Compassion Champion involving Compassion Cup 2024, an annual competition now in its second edition.

The football match was played between GCC Stars and Alabama Stars FC at the correctional centre football pitch with the latter coming out tops.

Prizes were given to the winners in various categories, including best team, and best players.

Uwalaka also said that his organization was assisting in meeting the educational needs of the inmates by contributing in the payment of the last WAEC and NECO examination fees.

Aside from feeding the inmates and treating occasion, the visit by the NGOs also brought freedom to some convicted inmates who were held back for their failures to pay the option of fines imposed on them.

The Founder of Projeft Dorcas, Uche Ama-Ohaka, who preached at the church service that heralded the celebrations, announced that his foundation had already paid fines ranging between N30,000 and N200,000 to secure the release of four inmates.

He said: “Though some of you could be there for offences you may not have committed, or by circumstantial reasons, I urge you to use this  period to change your ways of life. If you don’t change here I wonder where else you will change”.

He gave the names of the inmates whose freedoms were paid for to include Kalu Peter, Joseph Sunday, Ikechukwu Isaiah, and Nzeako Ikwulene, adding that they were going home for exhibiting good conduct during their incarceration.

In his admonition of the inmates, Pastor Ugochukwu Uchegbu of the Winners’ Chapel, Umuahia, urged them to get closer to God and reflect on their past ways of life.

He told the inmates that their incarceration should be an opportunity “to renew your faith in God and create a new vision for yourselves afterwards”.

The Deputy Comptroller of the Custodial Centre, Orjiakor Mabia, had while welcoming the Christmas visitors thanked the Global Compassion Coalition, Dorcas Foundation for their love and concern for the inmates.

He called on other charitable organisations to assist in helping the Centre overcome its challenges that include inadequate clothes,  mattresses and other items needed for the comfort of inmates.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo

For a federal interventionist agency that had been bogged down by inefficiency and searing mediocrity, the coming of Arc. Sonny Echono as the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) brought good tidings. Things are progressively getting better at the agency.

TETFund had virtually gone off the track of its core mandate. But with the positive leadership style he brought to the agency on assumption of office in March 2022 as the Executive Secretary of the agency. Echono, who took over from Prof Suleiman Bogoro, came with the mindset of a person on a rescue mission, displaying uncanny  knowledge of the environment he was stepping into. He has injected fresh and invigorating air, a kind of sal volatile, into the agency. The effect was sudden and impactful, pushing the rather lethargic behemoth into an accelerated motion in service delivery.

Echono came with purposeful leadership, scrapping all the clogs in the wheel, ensuring that TETFUND lives up to expectations of delivering quality service to its primary constituency, the education sector. He may not be an academic and has not made his home within the confines of the ivory tower, but he understands the peculiar issues in Nigeria’s tertiary education and education sector in general.

The Ahmadu Bello University(ABU) trained Architect has a mind well attuned to the art and science of designing and managing the construction of buildings and other structures. And he has applied it to good effect in piloting the affairs of TETFund. In discharging of his duties, his policies and actions are always proportioned to ensure that the nation’s Universities become the best in terms of infrastructure, research and learning. This can only be made possible by putting in place the needed facilities

As he sat on Executive Secretary’s seat, piloting the affairs of TETFund, Echono saw the need to introduce reforms in the agency in order to put it in good stead to play its critical role of bridging funding gap and providing critical infrastructure, among others. Given the state of affairs in the past, the new ES made up his mind that under his watch TETFund would be allowed to become a victim of mismanagement as was the case in the past. He introduced several reforms at the agency to help drive effective service delivery thereby making the agency “work better and deliver on its mandate to the good people of Nigeria”. The ghost of corruption has been banished while service delivery is optimised.

Though the reforms have been yielding positive results, the Executive Secretary acknowledges that they may have caused discomfort to those who want the old way of doing things to continue. However, his message for those who dread and oppose change is that he won’t back out as “we are aware of the role TETFund plays in the provision of infrastructure and critical facilities in our higher institutions, as well as the training of academic and non-academic staff”.

Arc Echono has consistently manifested his abhorrence of the shortcomings of TETFund and has done away with all its past draw backs. He is a stickler for prudence, quality service delivery and due process. Following the increment of Education Tax to three percent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, TETFund now has more money in its cofers. But, being the kind of person he is, Echono did not see the enhanced funding as an opportunity to engage on frivolous and suspicious spending as some chief executives of several agencies of government have done and are still doing.  Instead, he saw it as a creation of an opportunity to do more for the betterment of Nigeria’s Universities.

He has assured the nation that, with the increased funding of TETFund, the agency has beeb bolstered to discharge its added responsibilities, including being part of the source of revenue for the Student Loan Scheme. In fact, Echono didn’t regard it as additional burden for the agency, hence as far as he is concerned, there is no cause for alarm. “All the added responsibilities bestowed on us, we can cope,” he said, adding, “We will surely not disappoint in the discharge of our mandate”. To make good his assurances of doing more having been given more, the TETFund ES said that “we are also more prudent and efficient in the management of our resources and are following up on the collection of the revenue that should accrue to us”.

Echono believes in team work and shared responsibilities. He knows that TETFund cannot do it alone in the quest to advance tertiary education in Nigeria. Therefore, he wants other stakeholders to also play their parts in helping the agency live up to its core mandate. The Executive Secretary has already made the head of beneficiary institutions aware of what the agency requires of them to assist in transforming the tertiary institutions to be globally competitive. He expressed his love or rather an obsession for quality job in his address at a retreat organised for members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of TETFund recently in Lagos.

He said: “We have set a high standard for our universities and other higher institutions benefiting from our intervention projects. They must manage the resources given to them well. They must be efficient in their planning, accessing and managing the funds given them. They must be prompt in dealing with contractors. We don’t want any wasting of time that would let our projects be caught up in the web of inflation”.

The ES further stated that the chief executives of beneficiary tertiary institutions “must also up their supervision mechanisms (as) we are also introducing more efficient supervision mechanisms”.  He didn’t mince words when outlining the rules by which they must play. According to him, “they should also take advantage of the opportunities we are giving them in the area of research, innovation, entrepreneurship among others”.

Echono also stated that TETFund would not waver in Its efforts in making Nigeria’s institutions of higher learning to attain appreciable financial independence and stop being spoon-fed by government. To achieve this goal, Echono said that the agency has been “encouraging (the higher institutions) to be able to improve on their revenue generation so that they won’t be too dependent regarding funding”.

Aside delivering quality infrastructure for the higher institutions, the TETFund boss is equally concerned with ensuring the durability of its funded projects. He has been advocating for higher institutions to imbibe maintenance culture. Echono sees no reason university management and users of a facility should not “jealously protect it and ensure that any sign(s) of structural dilapidations are addressed promptly”. He insists that by adopting maintenance culture, institutions would be able to preserve the integrity of their infrastructural facilities and make them “serve other generations coming behind”.

The outstanding achievements of Echono so far have not gone unnoticed. In fact, both he and the agency he is running its affairs have become the gold fish that has no hiding place. Accolades and awards have been coming, both local and international. In April  2024 the Executive Secretary was conferred with an Award of Excellence by the National Association of Academic Technologists(NAAT) at its 5th National Delegates Conference in Abuja. 

The award was in recognition of Echono’s “exemplary leadership in the education sector, quality assurance and service to humanity”
The National President of NAAT, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma commended the Executive Secretary, saying that the interventions of TETFund under him has resulted in the establishment of modern laboratories and upgrade of existing ones in public higher institutions of learning in the country. He also noted that members of NAAT have become beneficiaries of scholarship awards of the agency.

Barely three months after the NAAT award, more awards started pouring in. On July 1, 2024, the Champion Newspapers honoured Arc Echono with the “Outstanding Public Servant of the Year” award. This was in recognition of the achievements of TETFund in revamping the tertiary education sub-sector through its intervention activities with him in the driving seat.

On July 24, 2024, the good things happening at TETFund echoed in far away United States of America. TETFund emerged winner of the 2024 Anthology Visionary Award for Leadership in transforming education through technology. This particular award was in recognition of TETFund’s efforts to drive the infusion of technology into curriculum and instructional delivery process in Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions. It was presented at an event held at the Orlando World Center. U.S, witnessed by a global audience of over 2,000 participants drawn from the academia. The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, who is the architect of the achievements being recorded the agency, was on hand to receive the award on behalf of the agency.

He used the occasion of the global event to showcase TETFund to the world elaborating on its activities. He said that the agency is presently supporting over 280 public tertiary institutions and has laid a strategic plan which will enable all students attain digital literacy before leaving the tertiary education system.

The TETFund boss disclosed at the event that the agency has designed a phased integration plan across educational levels and equipping educators in the country with necessary digital skills, facilitating critical partnerships with global bodies. He said that it has established National Center of Excellence for Development of Digital Literacy and Emerging Skills. The ES also informed his global audience that efforts have been made to domesticate learning management systems, and to better manage student’s information by deploying information technology systems. â€śIn today’s digital world, proficiency in digital literacy is not just beneficial, it is essential for academic success and employability,” he said.

Before the U.S event, Arc Echono had been chosen as the keynote speaker and distinguished honouree at the ninth African Leadership Organisation Summit, organised by the publishers of the African Leadership Magazine(ALM), based in the United Kingdom. He spoke on the sub-theme, ‘Education and entrepreneurial linkages: Africa’s pathway to unleashing its greatness’ during the two-day event between July 17-18, 2024, held at the Hilton London Metropole and House of Lords, respectively.

According  to the editorial board of the magazine, the selection of Echono was a “testament to his transformational leadership in improving infrastructure, strategic resource allocation, promoting research and development, and  enhancing academic staff training”. They also pointed out his positive impact in “integrating ICT and digital learning, advocating for policy reforms, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s tertiary education system”.

Echono lived up to his billing at the  ALM Africa Summit themed: Africa Unleashed: Navigating Disruptions, Enhancing Opportunities. Specifically, on July 18, 2024, he delivered a stirring speech in which he emphasised the crucial link between education and entrepreneurship as the pathway to Africa’s greatnsss. According to him, “unlocking Africa’s immense potential requires a multi-layer approach”, adding that adopting democratic principles, good governance, and accountability to achieve political stability and peace would spur development across Africa.

He was conferred with Distinguished Honouree award in recognition of his “lasting impactful contribution to education development, not only within Nigeria but also as a model for educational leadership across Africa”. The organisers also lauded the TETFund boss for showing “strong and effective professional character” in his leadership of the agency “in a way that has impacted tremendously on the overall well-being of Universities in Nigeria today”.

Not one to indulge in vain glory and self-indulgence, Arc Echono has remained his humble self amidst all the accolades and awards raining on him. He attributes every achievement to team work among TETFund staff, management as well as the BoT. He doesn’t regard his achievements and the attendant awards as something to gloat about. Rather, he sees them as catalysts to enhance productivity and push him and his team to strive and render sustained efficient service delivery to Nigeria’s tertiary education sub-sector.

Even with the added responsibilities to  TETFund, Echono has said that the agency remains equal to the task of carrying out its mandate as spelt out in the enabling law. This is the assurance of a man with a vision of making TETFund an outstanding public service institution focused on upgrading the strategic status of the nation’s Universities. As observed by the publishers of ALM, Echono has remained focused in his “determined efforts in restoring hope, vibrancy and effective funding of our Universities in a way that empowers them to be able to respond to the strategic challenges of University education in Nigeria”.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Groups have expressed worry over the ominous silence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on heeding the call for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Tinubu has painted a picture of indifferent disposition to the persistent demands on him to intervene and use political solution to resolve the lingering impasse surrounding Kanu’s detention.

In separate statements made available to the media Tuesday, both the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) and a pan-Nigerian Youth organisation, the 372 Youth Empowerment Network renewed their calls on Mr. President to free the IPOB leader.

AVID, in a statement signed by its President, Dr. Sylvester Onyia, and Vice-president, Prince Joe Nduka said that Kanu’s continued detention is an Injustice, adding that “injustice to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is injustice to all”.

The group noted that the intention of former President Muhammadu Buhari to kill off separatist agitation by clamping Kanu into detention and putting him on trial has failed hence the need for Tinubu take a conciliatory approach.

“His (Kanu) popularity has multiplied over the past years, as has his unshakeable stand on our collective conviction as a people. His nonviolent approach makes him more likeable,” AVID said.

The group stated that Kanu’s struggles and the obvious injustice being meted to him the Nigeria authorities has won him admirers and disciples across the nation.

According to AVID, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains a brother, son, and father to many Igbos and non-Igbos who have associated with him and seen his positive vision for everyone”.

The veterans appealed to Tinubu to release the IPOB leader without further delay, saying that “the reason Kanu must be released immediately and unconditionally now rather than later is to distinguish between apples and oranges”.

“We believe that if Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is freed today crimes will go down up to 95%, whoever questions this may be discreetly supporting and sponsoring insecurity in Southeast and blaming it on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the group said.

It stated that those opposing Kanu’s release “are simply making money with his infamous and illegal detention”, adding that “AVID as a body maintains that there is more to gain than to lose when he gets freed”.

AVID faulted Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, for deviating from his  previous position that releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would reduce crime in the Southeast.

It reminded Soludo that nothing has changed hence his initial stance remains valid hence  “while we still believe in his initial position, we strongly disagree with him now” for recanting.

AVID argued that if the new position of 4he Anambra governor is that Kanu’s release will not reduce crime in the southeast, “it means that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not the cause of insecurity in the Southeast”.

On its part, the 372 Youth Empowerment Network, which describes itself as a pan-Nigerian youth organisation sent out a passionate appeal to Tinubu, urging him to free Kanu on compassionate grounds.

It’s appeal for immediate release of Kanu was contained in a release signed by Mohammed Saidu, President, Toyin Deinde Komolafe, National Secretary; Chidi Nwogwugwu, National Coordinator, and Danjuma Abubakar Umar, Coordinator North East.

“The 372- Youth Empowerment Network believes that the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be a political master stroke to bring about lasting peace within the south eastern states of Nigeria and its environs,” the group said.

The youth network explained that the call for Kanu’s release “is based on our strong conviction that we must begin to heal the wounds of the past, forgive one another and jointly advance the cause of a strong, indivisible and united country called Nigeria”.

It acknowledged: “Mistakes may have been made, but it is time to move forward in the spirit of forgiveness, brotherhood, reconciliation and national healing”.

“This is the time in the history of our nation that we need all hands to be on deck to save our dear country from the vagaries of war, criminalities, sectionalism tribalism, religious bigotry, division and other vices inimical to the growth and sustainable peace of Nigeria.

“We appeal to Mr. President to please deploy the instrumentality of his highly exalted office, as the father of the nation to immediately order the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention to demonstrate his widely acclaimed democratic credentials and love for Ndigbo in particular”.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
 

A German international agency, the German Initiative for Knowledge Transfer, has renewed its call for the federal government to end the insecurity in the South East zone by releasing Nnamdi Kanu.

The Country Director of the Agency, Hon Obinna Ichita, made the call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene on Kanu’s travails, saying his continued detention has perpetuated the insecurity plaguing the South East.

In a statement, Ichita advocated the need for presidential intervention to resolve the Kanu issue and free the South-East from the stranglehold of insecurity.

The Country Director of the German Initiative for Knowledge Transfer, had made similar demand on the presidency when Muhammadu Buhari was in power but the advice yielded no result.

He, however, urged Tinubu to succeed where his successor failed by freeing the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and restore peace to the zone.

“I appeal to President Bola Tinubu to kindly intervene and graciously approve and direct the activation of a process that will see to the release of Mazi Kanu and the restoration of peace and security in South East through negotiation and alternative dispute  resolution mechanism,” he said.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has presented a budget proposal of N750, 282, 200, 000.00

for the 2025 fiscal year aimed at “sustaining the momentum” of his ongoing transformation agenda.

The budget outlay represents a 30 percent increase over the 2024 budget of N523 billion, which according to the Governor has recorded “a decent progress” in implementation.

Presenting the budget proposal Tuesday before the State House of Assembly, Otti said that the increment in the 2025 budget “indicates the scope of our progressive aspirations”.

“We have taken into account, major economic headwinds such as inflation and exchange rate instability – two complex subjects that have dealt very harsh blows to our fiscal plans and proposals,” he said.

Giving a breakdown of the budget outlay, Otti said that N611.7 billion, representing 82 percent of the entire budget outlay, “will be channeled into capital projects to continue to drive the long-term socioeconomic transformation of the state”.

He said that N138.6 billion representing 18% of the total package shall be channeled into recurrent expenditures to cover personnel cost, social benefits, overhead costs and debt servicing.

Compared to the 2024, the capital expenditure for 2025 fiscal year witnessed an increase of 29 percent while the recurrent expenditure, though smaller in size, was raised by about 34 percent.

Reviewing the outgoing fiscal year, the Abia Governor stated that “we have not achieved 100 percent of our target in the 2024 fiscal year because of a combination of factors, mostly external”.

Aside the external factors, Otti also identified some “fundamental internal factors that may have limited our drive to reach 100 percent of our targets”.

However, he expressed his happiness that “we achieved very impressive outcomes on all our key governance priorities”, adding that his administration has not borrowed money from any creditor while repaying inherited debts.

Otti said: “the elements of the 2025  budget are anchored on a set of slightly optimistic fundamentals” to finance the budget.

“We project an increase in the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) collection by 213% to N100.6 billion, a 96% rise in statutory allocation to N183.4 billion, 55% increase in grants to N25.5 billion and 35% rise in VAT to N55.1 billion.

“We shall finance the balance of N364.1 billion, representing about 51% of the total envelope through borrowing from domestic and multilateral channels.”

The governor said that steps have already been taken to address the drawbacks of the outgoing fiscal year “as we hope to move faster and stronger on all fronts in the coming year”.

“At any rate, we remain optimistic that the economic environment will be more stable in the new year even as we work hard to control the variables that are within our powers,” he said.

“We are reasonably on track to meet the expectations of the people on several development metrics especially with the restoration and expansion of public infrastructure, prompt and regular payment of salaries and pensions,” he said.

Otti further stated that his administration posted impressive record in security of lives and property, improvement of “environmental status of our major urban centres and responsiveness to matters of public interest”.

He praised his administration for prudent, management of state resources with tremendous outcomes in infrastructural development in the last 18 months.

“I am glad to say that we are not just running with a very efficient governance template, we have also shown great discipline in the management of resources, spending only on projects with high social and economic returns”.

“The gains of our people-first agenda are expressed in the fact that over the last 12 months, Abia rose to become one of the top 3 destinations for foreign investments in the country, just behind Lagos and Abuja,” Otti said.

In his response, the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, commended the governor for driving the wheel of progress efficiently and at a speed never witnessed before in the state.

He assured Otti that the state legislature would continue to provide the needed support to enable him fulfil his social contract with the people of Abia. He said that the 2025 budget proposal would be given accelerated consideration and approval.

*Says Aba int. trade fair promises ‘great experience’

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

As Abia State prepares to host its very first international trade fair, Governor Alex Otti has assured local and foreign businesses that “great experience” awaits them by participating in the fair.
Speaking at press conference in Umuahia Wednesday, Otti, represented by his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, said that every arrangement aimed at making the maiden Aba International Trade Fair a success was going according to plan.
The trade fair, he said, “will be done on an international scale as we look forward to welcoming the global business community to Enyimba City, just in time for the yuletide shopping activities”.
According to him, 10,000 participants from other parts of Nigeria and beyond were being expected at the 10-day event billed to hold between November 28 and December 7, 2024.
“I would like to assure everyone that our commitment to working with ACCIMA and other partners to deliver a first-of-its-kind event remains firm,” he said.
Otti said that the trade fair would be delivered with aplomb following the efforts of the Planning Committee through “months of hard work and dedication, series of planning, strategizing, engagements with various stakeholder groups”.
He also said that the “expected influx of our people from various parts of the world to the state for the end of the year festivities and reunions” would add more colour to the event.
The Abia Deputy Governor said that his boss had delegated him to oversee the activities of this Planning Committee and “to ensure that there are no gaps or obstacles to the success of the Trade Fair”.

He, therefore, stated that the Abia Government “is intensely committed to the success of the 2024 Aba International Trade Fair, adding that it has thrown its full weight “to guarantee the smooth execution and delivery of the 10-day event”.

Emetu said that the Otti administration “abhors half measures” hence “I have no iota of doubt that with the efforts and resources that have been so far committed to this project, the only outcome we can expect is success”.

On security, the Deputy Governor said that
“government has practically taken measures to ensure that there will be no security threats or gaps before, during and after the Trade Fair”.

He assured participants that steps had been taken “to guarantee effective security arrangements for everyone no matter what part of the town they are staying in”.

The deputy governor said that security is top priority hence “government will go one step further for this Trade Fair by working effectively with all national and local security organisations to keep everyone who will be in Aba for the Trade Fair very safe”.

He said: “Security infrastructure and personnel shall be deployed at the venue of the Trade Fair for round-the-clock surveillance operations so as to guarantee the safety of the participants, their products and other critical infrastructure that will be set up at the venue”.
“Our assurance to everyone who is planning to participate in the 2024 Aba International Trade Fair is that they are coming to one of the safest and most-secured business destinations in the entire country”.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo writes about the Abia state local government council election held recently the outcome of which saw the ruling party, the Labour Party, being thoroughly humiliated by unknown Zenith Labour Party.

On Saturday, November 2, 2024 voters in Abia State went to the poll and elected a new set of 17 Local Government Chairmen and their Deputies. It was the first time such a  democratic election of leaders would happen in the Abia grassroots governments. In this new dispensation they have been christened Mayors and Deputy Mayors by Governor Alex Otti and the nomenclature has officially been stamped by the State House of Assembly with the amendment of the Abia State Local Administration Law last month.

The outcome of the 2024 Abia LG poll as announced by the Chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission(ABSIEC), Professor George Chima on the night of the election day appeared startling.

Zenith Labour Party(ZLP), a hitherto unknown political party in Abia won 15 out of the 17 available chairmanship seats, while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) collected the the remaining two. The little success recorded by YPP was understandable as the party had won two House of Assembly seats in the 2023 general election, though the lawmakers later melted into the ruling LP. 

No other party tasted victory of any sort among the 15 political parties that ABSIEC claimed to have participated in the LG poll. Even the ruling Labour Party was no where in contention for victory in the poll.

So, how was it possible for ZLP to supplant LP,  the party of the Abia Governor. LP has been swirling in leadership crisis at the national level which snowballed to Abia, the only state under its control. The Labour Party in Abia State was torn between Governor Otti and Ceekay Igara, the National Vice-chairman, Southeast, of LP and a staunch loyalist of Julius Abure.

Otti was at the vanguard of the expanded stakeholders’ meeting in September, 2024 which he hosted in Umuahia. It was at the meeting that Abure and his National Working Committee(NWC) members were ousted and replaced with a Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman.

As an aggrieved person, Igara stuck with Abure his co-traveller in the survival fight hence his estrangement with his own governor as they battled for the control of Abia LP. Governor Otti was obviously having the upper hand in the fight during the period the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) treated Abure as pariah and denied him recognition as LP National Chairman.

But the pendulum later swung in Abure’s favour when INEC eventually accorded him recognition in obedience to Appeal Court verdict. This development strengthened the hand of Igara in his battle with Otti for the soul of Abia LP. The Abia LG election, therefore became a test ground to determine who was in charge. The Abia LP under the leadership of Otti with Emmanuel Nweze Oti as acting state chairman was selling nomination forms while Igara was also issuing forms to those in his camp. Basking on his new-found strength embedded in Abure’s leadership, Igara warned the rival LP camp that any candidate not nominated by his group for the Abia LG poll would be disqualified. He specifically stated that his LP faction would go to court and nullify any victory recorded by candidates from the “factional” LP platform backed by the governor.

Faced with unpleasant prospect of losing out if he stuck to using LP as platform for his loyalists to contest the LG election, Otti did a fast political calculation. He remembered what his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara did when it turned out that the platform of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) was becoming shaky to be used for the LG poll in his state. In like manner, Otti turned to an opposition party to provide the vehicle that would convey his loyalists to Abia LGCs as elected officials. In fact he has always expressed his belief that political parties are nothing but vehicles to use for election purposes. Otti chose ZLP as the vehicle for use in the council poll. He, therefore, directed the chairmanship and councillorship candidates that had already emerged from his LP faction to migrate to his adopted ZLP. Igara was thus left with a hollow carcass of LP.

That was how ZLP, a party that was virtually non-existent in Abia waxed so strong overnight to sweep the LG polls. Because of the veiled backing of Otti, ZLP was the only party that officially launched its campaign for the LG poll. Bustling with new life, Otti’s proxy party on Thursday, October 24, 2024, loudly proclaimed its readiness for the poll at a huge rally held at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.

The fact that the party was allowed to use this government-owned sports facility, in addition to the elaborate coverage and celebration of the event in Abia government media sent strong message of government backing. Thus, as light in the LP camp has going out, the spark in ZLP kept glowing increasingly to make the party a shinning star. Governor Otti was obviously working behind the scene to ensure the success of ZLP at the LG poll. This could have given the Abia Chairman of ZLP, Prince Onukwue the assured hope and confidence when he declared at the rally that his party would come out tops at the poll on November 2.

His prediction eventually came to pass. Though Otti didn’t openly canvass for votes on behalf of his adopted party, his body language spoke volumes about his love for this adopted child of political circumstance.

During the inauguration of the elected Mayors and their Deputies on Monday, November 4, the Abia Governor acknowledged that it was at his instance that candidates that used other parties outside LP recorded success at the LG poll.

“At the beginning of this process”, he said, “I had charged every interested contestant to join any party of their choice”. Without specifically mentioning LP,  the Abia Governor said that he had “realised that a few parties have leadership crises that I didn’t think should be imported into this process(LG poll)”. The other party in crisis aside from LP is APGA, which has two factions with Sunday Onukwubiri and Ben Onuoha in contention as to who should be the authentic state chairman.

It was really a gamble for Otti to have gone for ZLP with obscure presence in Abia. How could its symbol have even been known to the Abia voters to the extent of recognising it within such short time frame before the poll. But Otti explained that his past political experience had made him to understand the voting behaviour of the Abia electorate. According to him, “our people have always voted candidates and not necessarily parties”. This explained why he merely told voters to vote for candidates that “shared our vision” for Abia development.

Otti had also  asked voters “to vote the best candidates irrespective of political parties”.  The location of those best candidates that share in the vision of his administration was never in doubt as the unseen finger steadily pointed in the direction of ZLP.

So, it didn’t matter that Otti did not tell LP supporters to vote for LP candidates. Otti cited his electoral outing as a governorship candidate in 2015 to illustrate how Abia voters behave. He pointed out that the outcome of that election was a “clear proof” that parties matter less in Abia State when it comes to casting of ballots. He said: “My carefully chosen candidates at that time won almost 50% of the House of Assembly seats from a party(APGA) that had not won a councillorship seat in the state prior to then”.

At the end of the day, Otti felt hugely satisfied and elated that his gamble had paid off. He enthused that even though the elected Council Chairmen “have emerged from different political platforms, the agenda remains the same: Abia first”.

Both the government and the state electoral body are clinking glasses in celebration of peaceful and successful conduct of the LG poll. The ABSIEC Chairman, Prof Chima after declaring the results announced that “we have carried out the duty we were inaugurated on September 5 to undertake”. He said that “it was not an easy task, but we went out on our way to create awareness about the election across the state”, adding that the poll was free, fair and credible.

“It must be noted that, in recent times, this Commission has not conducted an election where over 12 political parties took part; this on its own is a plus to the Commission,” the ABSIEC boss said.

Otti agreed with Chima, saying the state electoral umpire did “an excellent job of conducting a very free and fair electoral exercise”.

The  Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) has also accorded credibility to the Abia LG poll as credible. A delegation of the body led by the Chairman of the Sokoto Independent Electoral Commission(SIEC), Hon Sidi Ibrahim Mukhtar, came calling waving cheerleaders’ floral bunch to commend Governor Otti for conducting a free and fair poll. The group was on a working visit to the Abia Governor at his Umuehim Nvosi country home, Isiala Ngwa South LG, barely 24 hours after the poll. Mukhtar said “we observed the election” and based on what they saw, congratulated the Abia Governor “for conducting a successful free and fair election”.

But in the opposition camp, the perception of the outcome of the 2024 Abia LG election was different. The verdict was also damning. Members of the main opposition PDP were of the view that the outcome was already predetermined before the polling day.

A former Commissioner for information in the last administration, Chief John Okiyi Kalu described the poll as a “charade”, adding that in the few areas where there were some semblance of voting, there was no reflection of the ballots cast in the results announced. Two regular opposition voices on radio, Ugochukwu Emezue, who was a former Commissioner for Documentation and Ifeanyi Umere, a PDP state assembly aspirant in 2023 have continued to insist that the results were “written” before the polls.

The Abia PDP which was the ruling party in the state for more than two decades, had gone into the council election with the high hope of posting a good result after losing power to the opposition LP 17 months ago. But it came out of the duel thoroughly humiliated without winning even a single councillorship seat. The All Progressives Congress(APC) appeared to have correctly read the handwriting on the wall. It saw the humiliation coming and ducked out of the poll. The party had publicly announced that it would not participate in the Abia LG election, citing the short period of time given for preparation. In addition, the Abia APC chairman, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu said ABSIEC did not invite his party to the stakeholders meeting where the election date and timetable were announced on September 21, 2024. The ABSIEC timetable had required the parties to start their primaries just four days after the election date was announced.

Despite opting out of the poll, APC still appeared on the ballot papers and was even credited with winning a councillorship seat at Isuochi in Umunneochi Local Government without fielding a candidate. The electoral body has not explained why APC got on the ballot papers. But the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu offered an explanation, saying ABSIEC might have printed the ballot papers before APC announced its non-participation in the poll. Nonetheless, this explanation can only be plausible if it is established that the Abia electoral umpire had gone into the printing of the ballot papers immediately after it announced the date of the election.

Whatever its flaws, the 2024 Abia LG poll has passed off as having ushered into office elected officials in the state local government administration. Otti was in reality compelled to conduct the poll by the Supreme Court judgement which recognised the autonomy of the third tier of government. The attendant threat of possible withholding of federal allocations of LGs in states with unelected council executives, forced Otti, like some other governors to hurriedly organise council polls. But in Abia the outcome has brought unintended consequences on the ruling party. The Labour Party is now decimated in Abia. The party, now the biggest loser in the LG poll, will in due course, sing its Nunc dimittis by the time Governor Otti would officially pull out of the fractious party and officially embrace the ZLP.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Two soldiers were killed in the early hours of yesterday when troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation Udoka were attacked by gunmen at a checkpoint at the border between Abia and Imo States.

A statement signed by Lt Col Jonah  Unuakhalu on behalf of the Joint Task Force and made available to the media said that the troops that came under attack were deployed at a checkpoint on Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.

“In the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price,” he said.

He blamed the Indigenous People of Biafara (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), for the attack, however, without giving details.

Giving account of the deadly encounter, the task force spokesperson that “the gallant troops were able to repel the attack forcing the irredentists to withdraw in disarray with gunshot wounds.”

He said that the fleeing gunmen abandoned one Sienna and one Lexus SUV that were used for the attack.

The Joint Task Force called on residents of the South-east zone, especially residents of Abia State with relevant, reliable and credible information that could help in apprehending the fleeing attackers.

The statement said that useful information would not only assist the military to arrest those behind “this heinous crime” but also “help to annihilate the criminals in the region.”

It advised members of the public to direct any relevant information to Operation UDO KA “by dialing *193* and press

*Option 2’* on your phone.”

Despite the attack, the army vowed that troops attached to Operation Udoka would not be deterred in carrying out their functions.

It stated that the army “will continue to carry out its constitutional roles of safeguarding lives and property in line with global best practice as laid down in the rules of engagement guiding its operations.”

*Says poverty not excuse to deny children basic education

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

To upscale literacy level, the Abia State Government has now made it a criminal offence for parents to deny their children or wards the opportunity of getting basic education.
The Commissioner for Education, Prince Okey Kanu, said that the decision was taken by the State Executive Council at its meeting on Monday, adding that the policy implementation would take effect from January 1, 2025.
“In line with the Abia State Child’s Law 2006, it will now be an offence for parents not to send their children and wards to school in Abia State,” he said.
Kanu stated that the compulsory acquisition of basic education was part of the ongoing reforms in the educational sector, adding that the policy was reflective of the high premium the present administration has placed on education.
Governor Alex Otti had already declared free and compulsory basic education in Abia, hence government holds the view that poverty can no longer be used as an excuse  by parents to raise children that would become illiterates.
He urged parents to take full advantage of the tuition-free policy in the basic level of education and send their children and wards to school to avoid being prosecuted in line with the Abia State Child Law 2006.
“This policy is in fulfilment of what the educational sector represents for this government,” Kanu said, adding that at the inception of the administration, a state of emergency was declared in the educational sector”.
On the revocation of the multi-campus status of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), the commissioner insisted that the directive on relocation of the Umuahia campus of the university is irreversible.
“Government’s position about the order remains unshakable because the decision, in the first place, was taken in the overall interest and well-being of the university,” he said.
While maintaining that “the state government will implement this policy to the letter”, Kanu, however, said that government would keep its ears open being “a listening government that conducts state affairs with human face”.
He assured Abians that government would engage with all affected stakeholders in order “to allay their fears and anxieties if any about the relocation order”.