Education

TETFUND: gov. Otti vows to reclaim unclaimed funds for ABSU, others

Published

2 years ago

November 29, 2024

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Following the revelation by the house of representatives committee on TETFUND that Abia state was one of the states in the country with unclaimed TETFUND, Abia State Governor Alex Otti has vowed to reclaim all accumulated funds.

He says his administration will do everything possible to claim the unclaimed funds earmarked for the state owned institutions by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

Governor Otti who recently had a delegation of house of Representatives on a working visit in his country home in Nvosi, said with the enormous work needed to be done in the education sector in the state, it is perfect timing to access such intervention funds now.

He decried the level of dilapidation in public schools in the State and the level of ruins its structures were subjected to, noting however that he would take immediate action to salvage the situation as bemoaning a problem alone does not solve it.

“There is no way we can make progress without these funds. So, whatever it takes, I’m going to do it. I will outsource my Commissioner for Tertiary Education to you so that we can get the unclaimed funds and use it. If you get to our schools and see the level of dilapidation, you will understand the level of ruins and how much we need this funds; In fact, sometime you will be wondering how people actually manage to graduate from these schools

“One thing that we know is that the problem doesn’t get solved by bemoaning the problem. We don’t believe in that. We take actions, we believe that actions solved problems,” he said.

The governor thanked the committee for bringing the state’s attention to the development saying,

“Thank you for calling our attention to this. For us, it is a wake up call for a state that has declared a state of emergency on Education, a state that dedicated 20% of her budget allocation to education, and has recently declared free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary school.”

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on TETFUND and other services, Hon. Miriam Odinakachukwu Onuoha said that the committee was in the state as part of its oversight functions having discovered that Abia is among the states with an accumulation of unclaimed TETFUND to find out the cause and impediment as well proffer solutions.

Hon. Onuoha disclosed that the House had created a separate Standing Committee on TETFUND to ensure better accountability and show for judicious utilization of the funds released for TETFUND.

She said that the House has relaxed some of the stringent conditions causing the delay, providing an opportunity for the committee to speak with beneficiaries, stakeholders on areas of challenges as well assist them in ensuring that the backlogs are cleared.

“Hitherto, years back, before now, the House had ran a committee on territory institutions and TETFUND but upon realizing that there is a need for better oversight to ensure better accountability and show for judicious utilization of the amounts released for TETFUND, the leadership thought it wise to create this house committee on TETFUND particularly and specially dedicated and saddled with the issues on TETFUND and education tax collection, remittances and utilization.

“The committee paid a courtesy call and oversight visit to TETFUND on the 30/5/2024 and discovered that the funds yet to be utilized was over 500 billion that had been allocated to beneficiary Tertiary institutions and we probed further and found out that there were divergent reasons for this stalemate and accumulation of funds. The committee rose from a meeting with a resolution of the house to set up this technical committee comprising members of the committee, members of TETFUND itself, consultants to come to the affected states and institutions and find out the reason for the accumulation, the impediments and look for a way to proffer solutions and cure it on the spot,” she said.

She noted that her committee will work with Abia State government and the Tertiary institutions in the State to ensure that the state got their right share of the TETFUND intervention.

“Your Excellency, we want to pledge our commitment and our resolve as a committee of the house, a standing committee to work with your government and tertiary institutions in Abia State to ensure that they get their right slice of the TETFUND intervention. So, being your sister and one of your very close supporters and admirers and seeing how you have set Abia on the part of growth and development in such a short time, this committee will work with you and your heads of institutions to ensure that the essence and internment of the tertiary intervention will be attained with you as Governor of this state.”

The visitors later entered into a technical session with the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, SA on Education, Kenechukwu Nwosu and
the Heads of Tertiary institutions in the State including ABSU VC, Rector, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba and Provost, College of Education Technical Arochukwu, among others.

Some other members of the delegation are Hon. Okwara Osonwa, member representing Arochukwu Ohafia federal Constituency, Chief Alex Ikwechegh, member for Aba North and South Federal Constituency and others.

Education

Governor Otti approves training Of 1000 Youths In THRIVEABIA Digital Capacity Programme

Published

2 weeks ago

October 15, 2026

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has approved the expansion of the ThriveAbia Digital Capacity Development and Mentorship Programme to accommodate 1,000 young people in its first cohort following the successful training of 100 participants under the pilot phase.

Governor Otti gave the approval on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in his office, while receiving a delegation led by the Director and Co-founder of Tech Excentric, the technical partners for the ThriveAbia programme.

The Governor expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the pilot phase and directed immediate expansion of the programme.

“I am therefore in agreement with the proposal to expand the programme to accommodate 1,000 participants. Indeed, it should be implemented as quickly as possible because time is of the essence. Applicants would apply and sit for the test, after which the results would determine those who proceed to the next stage,” Governor Otti said.

The State Chief Executive congratulated the team on the successful training of the first 100 participants, commending the 87 percent graduation rate and the fact that more than half of the participants were women.

“I am particularly impressed by what I have seen today. I congratulate you on the successful training of the first 100 participants and on the impressive results recorded. An 87 per cent graduation rate is commendable, especially when we consider that a significant proportion of the graduates are already earning in foreign currency,” Governor Otti stated.

The Governor noted that his administration is already collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the UNIPOD initiative, stressing that digital skills development and emerging technologies are critical to preparing young people for the future.

The Governor however emphasized that selection for the expanded programme must be strictly merit-based, proposing computer-based testing and additional assessments to ensure a transparent and competitive process.

Consequently, Governor Otti directed the team to work with relevant government officials to develop a clear implementation timetable and identify suitable facilities for the training.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. David Kalu, who introduced the team, said the ThriveAbia pilot was a huge success with 100 young Abians graduating in various digital skill areas. He noted that apart from the 87 percent graduation success, over 50 percent of the graduates have already started earning in foreign currencies as a result of the training and mentorship.

In their remarks, the Director, Mrs. Doris Akpuha, and Co-founder of Tech Excentric, Mr. Gilbert Igwe, expressed satisfaction with the success of the pilot phase and said the team is ready to commence the first cohort of 1,000 participants following the Governor’s approval.

According to them, the programme is designed to equip young Abians with practical digital skills, entrepreneurship capabilities and mentorship required to compete in the global digital economy.

They also disclosed plans to launch a social media campaign to showcase the Governor’s achievements and highlight opportunities being created for young people, adding that the initiative aims to increase Abia’s GDP through digital economy.

They thanked Governor Otti for the opportunity to partner the State Government.

Education

Otti charges Abia youth on service, innovation to drive new Abia project

Published

2 months ago

August 30, 2026

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has urged young Abia residents and Indigenes to embrace excellence, innovation, hard work and selfless service as 1,086 youths graduated from the 2026 Abia State Leadership Academy Youth Leadership Boot Camp.

The governor, who spoke at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, on Saturday, from where the 2026 Abia State Leadership Academy Youth Leadership Boot Camp graduates were about to take off their duties in service to nation, was represented by the Chairman, Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Jerry Eze.

Governor Otti’s speech, which was on “The Leadership Vocation”, was delivered at the graduation ceremony held at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, Abia State, on Saturday.

The function had been organized by the Abia State Leadership Academy in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.

The governor urged the new graduates to regard their graduation as the commencement of greater responsibility, challenging them to form mentoring clusters, share knowledge and skills acquired and mobilize their wards to be part of the New Abia change agents.

He said the New Abia was a transgenerational project that required patience, perseverance, partnerships and persistent efforts to make it happen.Governor Otti further noted his interest in seeing the ideas the graduates presented during their capstone presentations at the boot camp, as concepts to be implemented.

He challenged the new leaders to make Abia State the best state to live in, adding that the academy would keep a register of them and their contributions while charging them to invest in their personal development.

Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pastor Dr. Eno Jerry Eze, stated that out of the 1,086 graduates selected from over 7,000 applicants, the four-week rigorous boot camp themed, “Raising Transformational Leaders, Innovators and Change-makers,” had helped them acquire knowledge and skills in leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

She noted that the boot camp was an embodiment of the state’s commitment to investing in its youths.

The President of the Abia State Leadership Academy, Prof Kenneth Kalu, said Governor Otti had done a tremendous thing by initiating the academy, adding that the youths should go back to their villages, towns, and communities to lead, add value, and transform based on the values and virtues learned.

He urged the new leaders to always remember to serve with integrity, compassion, and purpose as they continue to impact their immediate environment positively.

Education

From training to Job: fresh Techrise Graduates get Automatic Employment as Gov. Otti donates N100,000 to each participant

Published

2 months ago

August 22, 2026

csunews

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.