1 week Ago By Shojobi Abisola
Abia State government says it will introduce an economic policy that will promote comprehensively made in Abia products. The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu who disclosed this in a press briefing in Umuahia stated that the new policy framework is part of the resolutions of the Abia State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. According to him, in the coming weeks and months, the details of the new Made-in-Abia products policy would be made public, adding that the policy when fully operational would make it possible that all goods and services obtainable in the state would not be procured from outside the state.
He said, “This is a bold reaction to the unraveling of both the national and global economies and the resultant economic headwinds and headline inflation prevalent in the country . “As a forward thinking government, the Abia State government is deliberate about the management of its local economy in order to boost the production of goods and services responsible for the overall health of the state’s economy”. He recalled that Governor Otti had recently played host to a group of entrepreneurs called Ethnorcentrique Limited, an indigenous firm involved in the promotion of handmade fabrics, particularly the Akwete fabric, where he pledged to promote local made goods.
Explaining how the policy would apply, the information commissioner explained that the new policy would centre around the purchase of Made-in-Abia goods and that it would be put together to promote such goods and services. On teachers’ recruitment exercise, Kanu informed that the state government has conducted the final part of the teachers’ recruitment exercise, which, he opined, involved the verification of certificates and oral interviews for the applicants. About 7,000 applicants who scored 45 percent and above along with 180 persons with disabilities, he revealed, were shortlisted and interviewed, pointing out that candidates who scored between 40 and 44 percent were placed on a reserve list to address the possible short falls that may arise due to absenteeism or disqualification.
“It is worthy to note that a 30-man panel compromising 6 professors, 16 PhD holders , and very senior educationists from Abia State University, Uturu, Michael Okpara University, Umudike, the Colleges of Education in the state, retired permanent secretaries, etc conducted the interview. “It is an indication that the very high standards set at the beginning of the teachers’ recruitment exercise have been maintained all through. Additionally, the state’s interpreter or sign language expert was on hand to help out those with disabilities,” Prince Kanu stated.
The Information boss further asserted that the State Executive Council has approved the conduct of another round of teachers’ recruitment exercise to give those who could not participate in the first phase a chance to do so. He maintained that the outcome of the second round of recruitment interview would afford the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education the opportunity to have a data bank of very qualified teachers to draw from any time the need for teachers ariss. On illegal collection of levies in schools, Prince Kanu announced that the government has issued a stern warning to principals and heads of schools who surreptitiously collect school fees and levies despite the state government’s free education policy for Primary schools and junior secondary school students.
He therefore advised principals and school heads who engage in these unwholesome acts to stop forthwith or be ready to face the full wrath of the law. On the killing of two Chinese nationals in the state recently, the Commissioner, who expressed sadness over the incident, acknowledge that recently there has been some security breaches in some parts of the state. He explained that a few days back, two Chinese nationals and a police personnel were killed by bandits around the Uturu axis of the state, adding, “Immediately that happened, the police swung into action and rescued the rest of the members of the traveling team.
“The state security agencies are investigating the incident to unravel the motives of the bandits since” the incident wasn’t like a typical kidnap incident”. He further disclosed that education consultants, Education Reformation and Innovation Team (ERIT ) would be training about 2, 200 Abia teachers across the state and that it is part of the ongoing reforms in the state’s education sector. Kanu stressed that the large- scale training initiative is designed to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the public schools, pointing out that the programme would take place between April 10 and April 19, 2025 in three centres located across the three Senatorial Zones of the state in Aba for Abia South , Umuahia for Abia Central and Ohafia for Abia North.
On health, Kanu stated that the State Executive Council has equally approved the construction of a general hospital in Ukwa East Local Government Area, saying that it is In furtherance of the state government’s investments in secondary healthcare in the state. A project team, he opined, would be arriving at the LGA soon to reconfirm the location for the project. According to him, the new general hospitals being constructed or reconstructed in Arochukwu, Okeikpe, Obingwa and Ikwuano are all progressing well.
He used opportunity to remind the public that the official launch of the Formal Sector Health Insurance Scheme would be launched by Governor Alex Otti on Thursday this week at the International Conference Center, Umuahia. The information boss also announced that the Sound Intervention Hearing Mission 2025 would be launched by former President Olusegun Obasanjo together with Governor Alex Otti on the same day, time and venue. Also speaking, the Commissioner for Basic Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, said that the upcoming recruitment exercise will focus particularly on technical and vocational subjects, where teacher shortages are most acute, pointing out that many individuals with expertise in certain areas not covered in the existing teacher database would be considered.
He clarified that the state government’s free and compulsory education policy applies only to primary and junior secondary levels, and that those of SS1 to SS3 are to pay a reduced tuition fee of N3,300 only. The education commissioner noted that the surge in student and pupils numbers has placed additional pressure on available teaching staff, and added that the government aims at building a “data bank” of qualified teachers who can be deployed when needed, to avoid the delays experienced in the past. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma and his Heath counterpart, Dr.
Ngozi Azodo were part of the briefing..
