Abia Governor promises N1m business grant each for 150 best graduating students of Polytechnic
By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has expressed the State Government’s commitment to transform the education sector through a multifaceted approach.
Otti made this known Friday during the 19th-21st Combined Convocation Ceremony of the Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic in Aba.
The governor said that his administration’s transformative vision for the education sector had been adequately expressed in government’s commitment to improving education funding.
He said that 20 per cent of the 2024 budget had been allocated to education and expressed the government’s resolve to maintain the same percentage in the 2025 budget.
According to him, the present allocation given to the education sector “is a significant departure from the previous norm of 5 per cent”.
Otti said that the government had reinitiated a collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) through the payment of ₦5 billion in counterpart funds to unlock an estimated ₦10 billion in additional funding.
He promised that the fund would be utilised for further infrastructure development and other quality improvements in the sector.
Otti said that the renaming of the Polytechnic was to honor the late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and symbolises a renewed focus on excellence.
He also said that infrastructure projects, such as renovated buildings, new gates, and perimeter fencing, signal a long-term commitment to improving the learning environment.
Otti said that the government had organised teacher training and capacity building programmes to train and retrain over 2,000 teachers, with the aim of elevating the quality of education in the state.
He further said that the government had ensured regular and prompt salary payments, alongside the clearance of salary arrears, which have boosted morale among teaching and non-teaching staff in the institution.
Otti urged the institution’s authorities to boost entrepreneurship and job creation through curriculum upgrades which emphasise practical skills, entrepreneurship, and job creation rather than producing job seekers.
He said that the involvement of the Polytechnic in designing and manufacturing refuse receptacles for the government demonstrates the institution’s capacity for impactful, hands-on learning.
Otti further said that 150 best graduating students would receive ₦1 million business grant each from the government, with a focus on entrepreneurship to underscore the government’s commitment to empowering Abia youths.
Otti said that the neglect and politicisation of education under previous administrations, led to examination malpractices and systemic inefficiencies, stressing that his administration aims to restore integrity and high standards across all levels of the education sector.
The Governor also said that by fostering innovation, technical expertise, and entrepreneurship, the government aims to position the Polytechnic as a beacon of excellence in technical and vocational education.
Earlier, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Christopher Okoro, said that under his watch the institution had witnessed series of transformations focused on enhancing the teaching and learning experience in the school.
Okoro said that 21 programmes offered by the Polytechnic would be re-accredited, while 16 new ones had been introduced.
He said that the new programmes include Artificial Intelligence, Autotronics, Mechatronics, Journalism and Mass Media Studies, Cloud Computing, Taxation among others.
The Governor had earlier performed the foundation laying ceremony for the perimeter fence of the Polytechnic’s Osisioma Campus, inaugurated the renovated Rector’s Lodge, the school’s newly completed main gate and the renovated administrative block, among others.
The event was graced by the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, among other dignitaries.
