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.

By Editor, Umuahia

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Okezie Ikpeazu PhD has joined dignitaries from all walks of life at the wedding of Leo Okorocha and Daniela Okocha, daughter of former international footballer, Austin Okocha popularly known as “Jay-Jay” in Málaga, Spain.

The colourful ceremony brought together prominent personalities and members of the Nigeria diasporas to celebrate the union of the couple in an event that also highlighted the enduring cultural and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and Spain.

The wedding was officiated by Pastor Ayo Adedoyin of Jesus House, London, who drew his message from 1 Corinthians 13:3–8, focusing on the enduring nature of love, patience, kindness and commitment as foundations for a successful marriage.

The presence of the Nigerian Ambassador added a diplomatic dimension to the celebration, with his participation reflecting the importance placed on strengthening people-to-people relations between Nigeria and Spain.

Beyond formal diplomatic engagements, cultural and social interactions involving Nigerians and their Spanish hosts continue to provide opportunities for deeper understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The wedding also offered an opportunity for members of the Nigerian community in Spain to celebrate one of their own and showcase the richness of Nigeria family and cultural traditions on an international stage.

The newly weds were surrounded by their families and friends as they exchanged vows and formally began their journey as husband and wife.

For the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Spain, participation in such occasions is part of efforts to remain connected with Nigerians living in the country as encouraging stronger community relations and celebrating significant milestones within the Nigerian community remains a priority..

The love filled ceremony had prayers offered for the couple by the guests who wished them a lifetime of love, friendship and shared purpose.

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.