Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government has set 45 per cent as the pass mark for the computer- based test for the on-going teachers’ recruitment exercise, adding that only shortlisted successful applicants will be invited for oral interview.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this in a press conference in Umuahia, said the recruitment would be based purely on merit.
He said: “The computer based test for the recruitment of teachers was concluded last week, the candidates shortlisted for employment will be invited for oral interview by next week.
“Let me inform you that the cut off mark will be 45 percent and I believe while maintaining quality, there’s need to ensure that a lot of people are brought into the net as teachers,” Prince Kanu stated.
He said that in line with the unwavering commitment of the Governor to revolutionise the education sector in the state, Governor Otti paid an unscheduled visit to Abia State University Uturu and gave directives for instant face-lift to be given to the institution’s dilapidated buildings including the construction of a 5000 capacity students’ hostel, construction of a new agriculture and law faculties, construction of more cafeterias and reconstruction of all the internal roads of the university among others.
According to the Commissioner, “the visit speaks to the importance the state government places on education, not just at the basic level, but also at the tertiary level.”
Prince Okey Kanu disclosed that about 8 roads have been completed and ready for commissioning in Aba on dates that would be announced later.
He hinted that the newly reconstructed 45 kilometres Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Akara-Alayi-Abiriba road would be commissioned on 2nd April 2025, by the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
“Currently Engineers from the state Ministry of Power and Public Utilities are supervising the installation of solar lights along that stretch.
“What that means is that when that road is commissioned, when we are driving through that road in the night, we will be driving through a road that is wholly lit at night,” Prince Kanu stated.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Tertiary Institutions, Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, added that Governor Otti is strategic in the reforms he is carrying out in the education sector.
She said that, apart from the interventions in ABSU and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, he is transforming the Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu (ASCETA).
“ASCETA was completely neglected and despite all the investments of the Federal Government through TETFUND, that place was in ruins, government now wants to upgrade it and make it a world class institution.
“We are getting ready for accreditation because all the programmes lost accreditation. So by October, that institution will undergo accreditation. So the state government is doing all to upgrade that institution in terms of facility and manpower.
“Government has installed a 500kva transformer, the water project is ongoing, while the fence that wasn’t there is being constructed,” Prof. Uche explained.
