Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti, has endorsed move by proponents of South-East University, to take over Abia College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu.
Otti, who received a delegation of the promoters of the proposed university, said “South-East Governors are working together to make the region an ideal destination for education and investments.”
He said: “We are also working together to make the South-East the ideal destination in terms of investment in education, healthcare.”
“What we are doing is the right thing, and we need more people that would support us because the government cannot do everything.”
Governor Otti who informed the delegation of his great plans to upgrade Abia College of Education, Arochukwu, promised that his administration would prevail on his brother Governors to support the noble initiative.
“We have great plans for college of education. You know before now, it has not done well. It was virtually abandoned; salaries not paid but we have set up a board now and we are trying to fix the place.
“We believe strongly that we do not have a functional higher education for training teachers and will not be able to solve the problem of quality of education.”
Governor Otti noted that his plans for a viable and quality education system in the state led to his government allocating 20% of the 2024 budget to the education sector.
He added that the proposed faculty of Agriculture in the institution, is in line with his vision as it occupies a prime place under his administration.
“For our government that has devoted 20% of it’s 2024 budget to education, you’ll agree that we must make the system work and we are taking it one step at a time,” Otti stated.
He directed the delegation to meet with the Commissioner for Education and other stakeholders with a view to working out the details of the project for possible take off.
Speaking earlier, the majority leader, Abia State House of Assembly and member representing Arochukwu state constituency Hon. Uchenna Okoro, said that the ongoing infrastructural transformation in the state under the Otti-led administration, informed the choice of Abia for the project, describing it as a welcome development.
In his presentation, the team lead, Dr Venatius Ogueze, said that they are impressed with the achievements of Governor Alex Otti in office, noting that the idea behind the South-East University is to have a university of the South-East region as can be seen in other regions of the country.
He cited the prevailing security, purposeful, progressive and selfless leadership style of the Governor Alex Otti Administration as reasons why they are considering Abia for the project, adding that the university will offer professional courses such as Medicine, Nursing, pharmacy mechanical Engineering while Agricultural students will be placed on scholarship.
Commissioner for Education, Professor Eme Uche Eme; her SMES and Digital Economy, Mr Mathew Ekwuribe among other government functionaries were present during the visit.
