Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government has shortlisted 1,200 out of about 2,000 applicants who applied for the 771 vacancies recently advertised in the state’s health sector.
Governor Alex Otti disclosed this during a media parley on Friday night in Umuahia, assuring that due process and competence would guide the recruitment exercise.
He explained that the recruitment drive was aimed at addressing the rising demand for healthcare services across the state.
“We opened a portal and received close to 2,000 applications. About 1,200 of the applicants were shortlisted. We need to provide for the workers required to reposition our hospitals. We will continue to recruit all the people that we need,” Otti said.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritising the health sector and ensuring that Abians have access to quality and affordable healthcare.
According to him, 200 healthcare centres have already been renovated across the state, in addition to ongoing upgrades in general hospitals and tertiary health institutions.
Power and Education Infrastructure
Governor Otti also disclosed that his administration is addressing the power challenge at the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu. He revealed that plans are underway, in partnership with a private investor, to build a 15-megawatt independent power plant to serve the university and its environs.
“We are fixing the electricity project at ABSU. We are building 15 megawatts of power that will support the university and its environment. Very soon it will be completed,” he said.
He further revealed that new structures for the Law and Agriculture Colleges, as well as massive hostel projects, will be delivered on schedule.
“The hostels are being retrofitted. Five of them are under construction, and contractors have been mobilised following procurements secured two weeks ago,” he added.
The governor also announced ongoing infrastructural development at the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, stating that the Osisioma main campus would be ready by the next academic session.
He commended the Rector and his team for their efforts, noting that the institution is a beneficiary of a special N2 billion TETFund high-impact intervention fund.
“We are the only state in the Southeast that made the list of 18 beneficiaries. The permanent campus at Osisioma is receiving attention, with the lecture theatre nearing completion. Enrollment has also grown significantly, and new courses in Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics have been introduced,” Otti said.
At the Abia State College of Education, Arochukwu, he disclosed that massive renovations are underway, including the provision of electricity, renovated lecture theatres, and improved facilities to prepare the school for the next academic session.
Youth Empowerment
On youth empowerment, Governor Otti said his administration had adopted a different approach that focuses on skills acquisition and self-reliance, rather than distributing cash in the name of empowerment.
He revealed that 1,000 young Abians are currently undergoing leadership training fully funded by the government and conducted by top leadership experts in the country.
“In terms of youth empowerment, we have chosen a different path. Our culture does not depend on handouts. We believe in teaching people how to fish rather than giving them fish. The leadership training academy that started recently is part of this vision,” he said.
Otti also listed ongoing empowerment initiatives such as the Tech-Rise programme, fashion training schemes, and cooperative societies in different wards that benefited from interest-free facilities last year.
“This year, another N2 billion will be extended to more beneficiaries. People want to be empowered so they can be creative and contribute to moving society forward,” he added.
