Education Minister Commissions Abia Smart School, Commends Otti's Investment in Human Capital

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday commissioned the Ogbo Central Smart School in Ubakala, Abia State, describing Governor Alex Otti's investment in education as a significant step towards developing the state's human capital and preparing children for global competitiveness.

The school, commissioned on July 7, is one of the smart schools being established by the Abia State Government to strengthen public education through technology driven learning.

Speaking during the inauguration, Dr. Alausa praised Governor Otti's leadership and commitment to education, stating that sustainable development is driven by investments in people rather than physical infrastructure alone.

"The Governor's education reforms are aimed at equipping every child in Abia State with the knowledge and skills required to compete successfully at the local, national and global levels," the Minister said.

"That's what we are witnessing in Abia State today. When you have a Governor that is committed and thought and said, 'I'm going to build a smart school, not just one, not two, not three, not four, but ten, twenty,' that's a Governor that cares for the people. That's a Governor that wants your kids to lead Nigeria and lead the world.

"Today, your kids and Abia children will sit in this school. They will get the best educational material that a child in America, in London would also have right here in this community. They will learn how to use AI. Five years from now, ten years from now, Abia will lead the world."

In his address titled Tomorrow is the Reward, Governor Alex Otti said the Ogbo Central Smart School is the first of three smart schools scheduled for commissioning across the state's three senatorial districts this month. He added that an additional 17 smart schools, one in each Local Government Area, would also be commissioned before the end of the year.

"Evidently, Abia has moved into a new era of technology driven and participatory model of learning.

"Each of the 20 smart schools that will dot our landscape by the end of the year shall be equipped with an interactive board, and each pupil 300 per school, 30 in a classroom will be handed a tablet to support their learning experience," the governor stated.

Governor Otti said the commissioning of the smart school, coming a day after the inauguration of the Manu Tech UniPod, reflects his administration's emphasis on human capital development.

"Today, we are here to commission a smart school that promises to change the face of public education in the State. The overarching agenda is to transform our human capital into the central engine of economic growth and accelerated development.

"Our focus has gone past the old mindset of going to school to pick a certificate and join the queue of job seekers thereafter. We are poised to launch a mass of educated and visionary leaders who will go on to harness the untapped resources in our environment for widespread prosperity, as we see in other parts of the world."

The governor announced that education in the smart schools would be free and compulsory. He also warned against extortion by teachers and the vandalism of public school infrastructure.

Responding to requests from the Ubakala Improvement Union, Governor Otti directed the Commissioner for Works to install speed calming measures along the Ubakala Road and instructed the Commissioner for Environment to address erosion affecting the community.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, described the project as evidence of the state's commitment to preparing children for the future through quality education.

The Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Lady Lydia Onuoha, said the Smart School Initiative is designed to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills required for the twenty first century economy.

She disclosed that the Ogbo Central Smart School features 13 digitally equipped classrooms, an Early Childhood Care Development Centre, a modern library, a 30 seat ICT centre, a sick bay and a dedicated girls' room.

The Chief Executive Officer of Blue Giraffe Development Limited, Mrs. Orieji Okwara Emele, said the project would positively shape the future of children in the state and commended the governor's commitment to education.

Also speaking, President General of the Ubakala Improvement Union, Elder Godwin Obioma Mbaonu, described the project as "the opening of a new chapter of basic education" in the community and thanked the state government for what he called a legacy of visionary leadership.

Earlier, Governor Otti conducted the Minister of Education on an inspection tour of the Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal and the ongoing Governor's Office and Governor's Lodge projects within the Government House, Umuahia.

Other officials present included the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, commissioners and other senior government officials.