Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has granted automatic employment into the State Civil Service to the 19 best graduating students of Cohort 3 Abia TechRise ICT skills development program.

The governor on Thursday, August 21, 2026, during the graduation ceremony of 850 youths trained in the third cohort of the program at the JAAC Secretariat, Umuahia, announced the employment benefit for the new graduates.

He said the reward was the brainchild of his government, which was committed to creating an enabling environment for the best talents in each of the cohorts of the TechRise program, adding that they would help provide quality services in the civil service.

Governor Otti also donated N100,000 to each of the graduating youths and directed the organizers to forfeit the laptops they used for training as personal property.

He directed the Head of Service and the relevant ministries to carry out needs assessment on all government agencies and open positions requiring ICT expertise in the state and fill them with TechRise graduates.

The Governor also announced the creation of a special wage or salary structure for ICT professionals in the state’s civil service, subject to the condition.

He further emphasized that retaining the best talents in each cohort of the TechRise would add value to the State’s institutions and services through their skills and technology.

The governor challenged the fresh graduates to seek the knowledge and add value to their lives, saying the knowledge and skills they gained through the free training were better than the N100,000.

He urged them to turn their skills into businesses, innovations, or ideas to generate income while advising against the use of their skills for criminal activities.

The governor acknowledged the innovative skill of a few graduates who made a working drone and directed the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation to partner them on the idea to take it to the next level.

The governor also said his administration was ready to establish international examination and certification centers for ICT in Abia while collaborating with MTN to provide internet facilities in the state.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, said the 100 percent free program, with 3 months of training, in partnership with the 17 local government areas, had so far trained 2,210 youths in three cohorts.

Meanwhile, the TechRise coordinator and CEO of LearnFactory, Engr. Chibueze Ukaegbu, said the free training program had also trained 2,500 civil servants in computers and would soon train 5,000 civil servants in computers.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mr. Onuoha Victor Chinedu thanked Gov. Otti for giving them a platform to acquire the skills that will enable them to face their lives after studies.

By Editor, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, commissioned 20 more electric buses to the Green Shuttle fleet.

During the commissioning at Nnenna Otti- bus terminal in Umuahia, the governor announced the extension of operational hours of the Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency [ARTSMA] and other traffic enforcement authorities to 10pm daily.

Speaking at the event, Governor Otti described transportation as a critical driver of economic growth and social development. The Governor affirmed his administration’s commitment to building a modern, environmentally friendly and efficient transportation system.

Governor Otti warned against acts of sabotage, vandalism and indiscipline, capable of undermining the transport system, stressing that his administration would not tolerate criminality or reckless conduct on the roads.

“No one has the right to violate traffic regulations or endanger the lives and property of others. Beating traffic lights, driving against traffic, overloading and reckless parking will attract severe sanctions,” he said.

To ensure strict compliance, the Governor announced the establishment of an independent monitoring team to evaluate enforcement activities and recommend further actions where necessary.

The State Chief Executive charged the inter-agency transport management team to remain committed to protecting government transport assets, maintaining the buses and terminals, prioritising staff welfare, and ensuring that anyone found sabotaging public infrastructure is prosecuted.

“Whoever attempts to drag us back to the darkness of the past will have a very difficult time. We are determined to close the gap between where we are and where we want to be,” Gov. Otti affirmed.

Governor Otti recalled that the first fleet of electric buses was launched in December 2025, noting that the latest addition represents another significant milestone in closing the transportation gap in the state.

“Transportation is the oil that lubricates the wheels of prosperity. It moves people, drives commerce and expands the frontiers of opportunity.”The progress of any civilisation ultimately depends on how its transport system evolves to meet the realities of the time,” the Governor stated.

The Governor explained that the decision to adopt electric vehicles was informed by the need to provide cost-effective transportation, protect the environment, and position Abia ahead of emerging global transportation trends driven by clean energy and technological innovation.

The Governor emphasized that the remarkable transformation witnessed in the State’s public transport sector over the past seven months has introduced orderly queues, technology-driven payment systems, and dependable services comparable to global standards.While appealing to residents to fulfill their tax obligations, Governor Otti noted that sustainable development depends on citizens partnering with government through responsible tax compliance.

He further assured transport operators that government remains open to constructive dialogue, following reports of concerns from some informal transport operators.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, described the event as a celebration of visionary leadership and transformational governance. He noted that Governor Otti’s investments have repositioned public transportation in Abia through innovation, clean energy and people-centred policies.

Dr. Ukaegbu said the additional 20 electric buses would significantly expand intra-city and inter-city operations, providing affordable, safe and comfortable transportation for workers, students, families and other commuters across the State.

He added that beyond improving mobility, the initiative demonstrates government’s commitment to sustainable development through investment in infrastructure, maintenance systems and route planning, while also promoting cleaner air through zero-emission transportation.

The Commissioner commended the Governor for building a future-oriented transport system and assured that the buses would be professionally managed and properly maintained for the benefit of the people.

He also urged residents to protect public assets and encouraged drivers and operators to uphold professionalism, discipline and strict compliance with road safety regulations.

……….promises welfare reforms ahead of polls

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

The gubernatorial hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2027 election in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike’s message of people-centred governance, has elicited public discourse.

His supporters have also expressed optimism over his vision for the state’s future.

Although campaigns are yet to officially commence, Anosike has attracted positive receptions at several public engagements, with many supporters describing him as a leader whose ideas on governance and social welfare resonate with the aspirations of ordinary Abia residents.

He had always stated his vision for the state, which he said his administration would prioritize the welfare of the people, stressing that government must first guarantee the well-being of its citizens before embarking on ambitious infrastructure development.

According to him, “The whole essence of government is to serve the people first. The people need to be alive first to use any infrastructure. We shall build lives before we build infrastructure,” he said.

Anosike also assured of food security across the state, expressing confidence that policies under his administration would make food more available and affordable.

“If you have no food today or eat only once a day, when I assume office in 2027, you will have three square meals and even snacks in between because there will be food everywhere,” he said.

The PDP governorship candidate further pledged to make healthcare more affordable by introducing a comprehensive health insurance scheme designed to reduce the cost of medical care for Abians.

He explained that expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare would be a major priority of his administration, ensuring that families no longer face undue financial hardship in accessing essential medical services.

On workers’ welfare, Anosike promised to uphold due process in the public service, maintaining that employees should only retire in accordance with the provisions of the law.

“As a welfarist, we play by the rules. If the law says you work for 35 years or retire at 60 years of age, that is what should apply. If you have not attained either of those milestones, a welfarist will not retire you.

That is why I have said I will recall and reinstate those 10,000 workers who were retired prematurely in Abia State,” he stated.

Reiterating his philosophy of governance, Anosike referenced Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote: “Not even God will preach the gospel to a hungry man without first offering him bread,” emphasizing that the welfare of the people would remain the foundation of his administration.

As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, Anosike’s message continues focus on social welfare, affordable healthcare, food security, workers’ rights, and good governance to improve lives.