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  • Revolutionizing education in Abia through digital learning

    Revolutionizing education in Abia through digital learning

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

    Indeed, better times are here once again for Abia children. In a question of months, if not days, digital learning will be pioneered this part of the world. And this innovation will shoot them miles ahead their contemporaries.


    In the words of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu” with that device, my children will ahead of other children in Nigeria”.
    The most interesting episode of this narrative is that the state has taken delivery of the machines that will teach Abia children using smart box.


    Another interesting feature of this digital learning process is that it can teach up to 25 subjects with different curricular already programmed in the machine.
    The story is not yet completed as four model schools across the senatorial districts will soon spring up. The model schools will be located at Obingwa, Osisioma, Ohafia and  Umuahia.


    The current innovation is one in a million. Remember the Education for Employment Programme (E4E). A programme that was conceptualized around creating employment and to ensure that education leads to employment by imbuing the youths with the technical skills that would enable them become either self-employed or sought after by others. E4E  reactivated Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) in the state.
    It was also conceptualised in training youths in various technical and vocational skills to take up jobs in industries or be self-employment and help grow the economy. 
    This was a perfect interpretation of the Chinese proverb of “teaching the youths how to fish instead of giving them fish”. “In this new Abia” according to Gov. Ikpeazu during his inaugural speech  at Umuahia Township Stadium, “instead of giving our people fish (handouts), we will focus on leading them to grow economically”.
    Gov. Ikpeazu is vigorously pursuing his manifesto on education which is captured thus”Our focus on education will be extensive as we believe that the strength of Abia lies in her people. As such, the transformation of the education sector in Abia State will involve both public and private institutions. We will develop an all inclusive master plan to drive development and progress within the sector.
    “The master plan will incorporate restructuring the education curricula for primary, secondary and state-owned tertiary institutions to ensure our children and youths are empowered with sound knowledge and technical skills to survive and add value in the ever- evolving labour market.
    “We will promote the emergence of Abia as an education hub/ destination by attracting and diligently fast- tracking the establishment of internationally recognized education providers in the state; taking advantage of the secure environment and social infrastructure we will provide.
    “Having recognized the key role of education in our reform and repositioning of Abia State, we will drive incisive reform of the public education system. The reformed education system will also boost our IGR base, and contribute to funding our other social and economic development programmes“Our government will resuscitate all the existing programme- specific vocational programmes and institutions across the state. In areas where we identify gaps, we will establish new vocational training centres to address those gaps. These will be emphasised to support our key economic sectors to ensure relevance and sustainability. Facilitate the roll out of massive ICT infrastructure to improve the adoption of e- commerce and internet usage; encourage advanced skills training and development for both teachers; create a database of unemployed youths to facilitate their gainful employment in due course”.

  • The unnecessary war that nearly rendered Abia desolate

    The unnecessary war that nearly rendered Abia desolate

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

    The worst wars are wars within. This aptly captures what happened in Abia recently when some criminal elements attempted to occupy the public space leaving in their trail ruin.
    After every war, losses are counted in terms of human and material casualties and it is bound on the warring nation’s to undertake the repairs- and this costs huge resources to replace. It took Nehemiah and his allies huge efforts in trying of materials and time to reinstate Jerusalem from the aftermath of Babylonian captivity. Now the criminal elements has caused huge infrastructural loss to Abia, and it is going to cause the state huge resources to replace. Unfortunately, these resources could have been put to better use elsewhere. It is equally unfortunate that now that governments across the globe and designing appropriate responses to manage lean resources occasioned by economic hardships arising from unhealthy events that have trailed the world recently, disgruntled elements are launching Abia backwards to donkey years. The questions that would continue to beg for resolution here is “what justifies this unnecessary and misplaced war on public and private establishments in the state?” “Do the rape on these infrastructures by these elements form part of the demands that informed the protests? “Next time let these elements understand that defence from the point of violence is a weak defense. And let them heed to the following address on:” So not fight by means of violence. Violence is a sign of weakness. Whatever cannot win by influencing the heart tries to win by means of violence. The most splendid and lasting battles known to history are the battles of human thought. The most ignoble and the shortest are the battles of violence. An idea which prevails merely through the use of violence is perverted. A living idea conquers by itself. It is followed by millions”.-Jerzy Popieluszko A Martyr for the Truth

  • BREAKING: Five feared dead in Abia building collapse

    BREAKING: Five feared dead in Abia building collapse

    About five persons have reportedly died in a building collapse incident in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State.

    Information about the incident is still sketchy but The Nation gathered that one person, who was rescued from the rumble, is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

    Sources informed the incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday after torrential rain on Tuesday.

    It was gathered the deceased and survivor were homeless residents that usually take refuge in the building still undergoing construction at night.

    The cause of the collapse has been attributed to the use of substandard materials by the contractor.

    Details shortly…

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  • Abia enjoins MDAs to ensure strict compliance with employment regulations

    Abia enjoins MDAs to ensure strict compliance with employment regulations

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

    Abia State Government has emphasised need for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state to ensure strict compliance with employment regulations in the public service.

    The state also directs MDAs to strictly follow employment waivers, adding that the embargo on employment in the state is still in force.

    To check employment racketeering in the, the state directs the office of the Secretary to the State Government to set up a committee.

    Other outcome emanating from the state’s Executive Council meeting is the directive on the state environmental protection agency to review its current waste management approach to ensure a remarkable improvement in its operations.

    This is accompanied by a charge to the state ministry of trade and investment to collaborate with transition council chairmen to ensure that regular sanitation of the markets.

    The state also urged its ministry of public utilities to ensure the water project situated at its capital, Umuahia is commissioned in September this year to deliver water to individual homes.

  • COVID-19: Abia launches community sensitization program

    COVID-19: Abia launches community sensitization program

    By Linus Effiong, Umuahia

    Following the successful launch of its community testing initiative for coronavirus few weeks ago, the Abia State Government on Wednesday inaugurated a Covid-19 community sensitization team for its 17 Local Government Areas.

    Chairman of Abia inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 and Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem, who represented Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, called on all those residing in the state to take their destinies in their hands and see themselves as Ambassadors in the fight against Covid-19 in their various communities.

    Ezem cautioned against tolerance of people who flout the protocol without necessary corrections from their fellow citizens, stressing that every member of a community must now help to instruct all those flouting protocols to desist from doing so.

    “The message should immediately start from our homes. We must start preaching it from our homes, markets, churches and all gatherings. We can’t watch other people not observe the protocols and infect others in the process. Every buyer and seller must avoid falling victim of this protocols.

    Addressing newsmen at Aba Town Hall, in Aba South LGA, venue of the inauguration and flag off, The Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, said that the new move is another milestone in government’s sensitization efforts against Covid-19.

    He said that government was fully aware that the fight against the deadly virus was not over yet, therefore needed to do more by taking sensitization to the communities where the people need constant information and updating of such information to stay safe.

    “What we have done today is to launch community sensitization team for every local government. As it’s happening here, it’s also happening in 16 other LGAs of the State.

    “What we expect from this team inaugurated today is to be driving round every community in Abia State with vehicles mounted with public address system, talking to people and passing relevant information in the manner and language the people at the grassroots understand perfectly”, he said

    The Commissioner also said that the team will apply and utilize every local system of communication necessary and peculiar to certain areas, to ensure that no stone is left unturned in the effort to ensure information about Covid-19 gets to the people.

    “All the town criers and every information management structure that exists in our communities will now have to be deployed to sensitize our people on the prevention and control of COVID-19.

    “It’s part of our ongoing efforts to break the chain of transmission in the state. We’ve already launched community testing which is ongoing. Abia is the first state in the Southeast region to roll out Community Testing,” he informed.

    In that light, Okiyi Kalu gave strict warning to transporters and passengers, stressing that the state police command has been mandated to arrest and ensure the arraignment of all those who flout Covid-19 protocols like wearing of face masks and number of passengers in each commercial vehicle.

    “Henceforth, any tricycle carrying more than two passengers and whose occupants are not putting on face masks is in breach of Covid-19 protocols and would be arrested.

    “Any passenger who joins a tricycle that already has two passengers is in breach of the same protocol and will also be arrested. While we recognize that carrying two passengers as against the usual four will naturally lead to price adjustment, it’s unconscionable for anyone to flout the rule alongside another culprit and still turn around to complain against them Those who voluntarily flaunt the regulations on 2 passengers and compulsory face mask should not come and complain about tri cyclists who fleece them or rogue security agents who take advantage of them.

    “We believe that this challenge can easily be solved if our people take the fight against Covid-19 serious. Nobody should buy or sell to anybody who’s not putting on face mask. It’s important that at our individual levels, we take responsibility and do the needful.

    “We’ve empowered the state police command to use a more extensive system that’s by far greater than what we had in the past to ensure compliance. A lot of those breaking the rules will soon become very uncomfortable,” the Commissioner concluded.

  • FG donates medical diagnostic center to Abia

    FG donates medical diagnostic center to Abia

    From Linus Effiong, Umuahia

    Abia State now boasts of the most modern and most equipped medical diagnostic center in the entire South East and South South regions of Nigeria.

    This is sequel to the commissioning today of the NSIA-UMUAHIA DIAGNOSTIC CENTER at the Federal Medical Center. The brand new center was built by the National Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority in collaboration with the Federal Medical Center Umuahia with the active support of the Abia State Government.

    Speaking at the commissioning event which was held virtually, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu expressed his appreciation and those of the Government and People of Abia State to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the proposal of the National Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority to build the center in Abia State and assured that the center will receive the full backing and support of the State Government.

    He also assured that the center will receive huge patronage owing the population of the state and its thriving business environment.

    According to the Governor, the establishment of the center in the State will also help to broaden his administration’s policy implementation in Healthcare delivery.

    Governor Ikpeazu used the opportunity to restate the commitment of his administration to transforming the Healthcare landscape in the State through policy moves like the introduction of the Abia State Social Insurance Scheme which has been launched in Umuahia with the full legislative backing of the State House of Assembly.

    He also recalled that Abia State is playing a pioneering role in the Telemedicine sphere, having launched the Abia State Tele Health Initiative in 2017. Today, over 300 Primary Health Care Centers in the State are linked to a team of doctors through telephony using a backbone provided by Glo.

    The Governor was particularly delighted with the fact that the center will not be run like a parastatal of government but like a pure commercial outfit with a huge private sector collaboration.
    He also added that with the high quality of the machines and staff at the center, it will catalyze development of health care delivery in the State and serve as a training center for medical professionals especially in the diagnostic fields.
    The Governor also lent his voice to the request to upgrade the Federal Medical Center Umuahia to a full fledged Teaching Hospital by the Federal Government to complement the status of Abia State as the SME capital of Nigeria and an emerging industrial hub.

    Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment Authority, Abia State born Dr Uche Orji said that the decision to build the center in Abia State was to complement the efforts of the State Government in Healthcare delivery. He said the center is state of the art and is the very best in the entire South East and South South Nigeria. According to him, the center can compete with the best in the country and the West African sub region.
    The center, Dr. Orji continued, is owned 90% by the NSIA and will be operated by a team of tested and experienced private sector health management experts. The idea is to recoup the investments made by the NSIA and then hand over the facility fully to the Federal Medical Center Umuahia.
    He thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his support through the three year period of construction of the center and asked for the cooperation of the State Government as the center becomes fully operational.

    The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Center Umuahia, Dr. Azubuike Onyebuchi thanked the NSIA and the Federal Government for siting the facility at the Federal Medical Center Umuahia, assuring that as part owners of the center, they ensure optimal use of the facility. According to him, the time has become ripe for the upgrading of the Federal Medical Center Umuahia to a full fledged Teaching Hospital.

    There were goodwill messages from the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, Minister of State, Health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, and other top officials.

    The event ended with a virtual commissioning of the Diagnostic Center and a virtual tour of the Facility.

  • COVID-19: Abia intensifies sensitization in the LGAs

    COVID-19: Abia intensifies sensitization in the LGAs

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

    Abia State is set to take the COVID-19 campaign to the rural populace.

    The state is flagging-off the sensitization committees in the 17 local government areas of the state.

    Also, in order to contain the spread of the virus,the state is to commence testing in the local government areas and therefore appealed to citizens to avail themselves if such opportunities.

    However, the state has frowned at the practices of patent medicine dealers and pharmacists who handle COVID-19 cases. Consequently, the state says it will hold an interactive session with those involved.

    Meanwhile, the state has extended the market days to Saturdays, while eateries in the state are to operate fully with strict maintenance of the COVID-19 protocols.

  • COVID-19: Abia to open schools for exit students 10th August

    COVID-19: Abia to open schools for exit students 10th August

    From Linus Effiong, Umuahia

    Stakeholders in the education sector of Abia State have tentatively fixed August 10, 2020, for reopening of schools to enable students in exit classes prepare and write their relevant examinations.

    The planned reopening is subject to verifiable compliance with all the proposed COVID-19 prevention and control measures agreed at the summit convoked by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu today at Michael Okpara Auditorium of Government House, Umuahia.

    Addressing newsmen after the summit, the Secretary to Abia State Government, Barr Chris Ezem, listed some of the agreed pre-conditions to include clearing of school premises, decontamination/fumigation, provision of sick bays with relevant medical staff, digital thermometers, compulsory provision of hand washing stations as well as maintenance of social distance with maximum of 20 students in each classroom.

    Ezem who informed that the measures apply to both public and private schools in the state listed other conditions to include ban on gatherings among the students, ban on food vendors in the schools, and assured that the government will provide original pocket-size hand sanitizers for all the school children in the exit classes. Head teachers were also directed to ensure that the students spend a minimum of 10 minutes daily to learn about COVID-19 and its associated prevention and control measures while charging parents to ensure that their children have and wear face masks to school.

    On planned reopening of tertiary institutions in the state, the summit agreed that each school will submit its plan for resumption of exit classes to the Secretary to State Government along with detailed plans to ensure that students are protected from the virus .

    In his opening remarks, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu insisted that while the state was desirous of ensuring her high flying students resume classes as quickly as possible, his administration would not sacrifice the health of the children for anything. According to him, “we must find a balance between ensuring that they continue to enjoy good health and protection from this virus and continuing their education. I therefore urge all of us to take responsibility for our protection from this virus as well as the protection of our children and loved ones. Our lives cannot stop because of this virus but we can take necessary measures to protect ourselves and loved ones from the pandemic”, he said.

    Governor Ikpeazu who announced that his government will continue to wage relentless war against COVID-19, called on religious leaders in the state to take up the fight against the virus in the state by using their pulpits to sensitize the people on COViD-19 prevention and control protocols as well as encourage them to participate in the ongoing community testing across the state. He assured that the state is ready to break the chain of community transmission of the virus hence the decision to commence the testing with two functional testing laboratories in place.

    The stakeholders who spoke at the education summit in Umuahia included representatives of PTA’s, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), proprietors of private schools, the clergy, traditional rulers, the academia among others.

    Speaking at the occasion, the state commissioner for Education, Dr Kanaelechi Nwangwa, said the summit was convened to fashion out modalities for the reopening of schools for pupils and students in the exit classes.

    In his address, the state commissioner for health, Dr Joe Osuji, said health officials will go round schools to check sick bays and give out sanitizers just as teachers will be tested for COVID-19 before reopening of schools.

  • Abia flags off community surveillance & testing for COVID-19, targets 10,000 tests in 30 days

    Abia flags off community surveillance & testing for COVID-19, targets 10,000 tests in 30 days

    By Linus Effiong, Umuahia
    Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, today flagged off the coronavirus (COVID-19) community surveillance and testing program which is aimed at breaking the chain of transmission  in the state and stem community spread of the disease.
    Speaking during  the flag off at the Umuahia South Local Government headquarters, Apumiri Ubakala, on the theme: “Breaking the Chain of Transmission of COVID-19 in Abia State through Community Surveillance and Testing”, the Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government and chairman of inter ministerial committee on COVID-19, Barr Chris Ezem, stated that the exercise which demands maximum support from the citizens should be taken seriously. He noted that Abia State is the first state in the South East to embark on such mass community testing against COVID-19.
    The Governor noted that testing positive to the virus is not a death sentence as patients are being nursed back to health at the state’s isolation and treatment facilities while advising that those who test negative should continue to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols already given which include: maintaining social/physical distance of a minimum 2 meters, use of nose mask, regular washing of hands under running water or use of hand sanitizers and avoiding crowded gatherings.
    The State Chief Executive warned that failure to observe the laid down rules will result to enforcing a total ban on social gatherings in the State.
    Earlier in his speech, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Osuji noted that the virus which broke out on the 31st of December, 2019 in Wuhan, China, has spread across the 36 states of Nigeria and FCT, hence the need for all states to take necessary measures to break the chain of transmission and flatten the curve as quickly as possible.
    He commended the Governor for his efforts against the spread of the virus in the State while thanking the Chairman of Abia State COVID-19 task force, Barr. Chris Ezem for his coordinating efforts so far.
    He informed that the ministry of health has trained front line contact tracers and sample collectors in all the LGAs of the state with the aim of carrying out the massive sampling and testing of a target of 10,000 samples across the 17 LGAs in the state, an exercise which took off today the 20th of July, 2020.
    He further stated that the main aim of the initiative is to break the chain of transmission through the identification of cases, isolation of positive cases, managing the symptomatic back to health, contact tracing and monitoring of all the LGAs.
    In a welcome address, the Transition Committee Chairman Umuahia South LGA, Dr. Max Ndukwe Adindu, noted that the event is an evidence of commitment of the state government to the health care of citizens and residents of the State and commended the Abia State Government for its doggedness in combating the spread of the virus. He urged Abians to cooperate and support the initiative by submitting themselves for the test.
    While thanking the Abia State COVID-19 taskforce for their proactive measures, the LGA Chairman noted that the distribution of palliatives by the Abia State Government is still ongoing whereas other states have long stopped delivering to citizens.
    In their goodwill messages, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Chief Eze Egbulefu, the Executive Secretary, Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Dr. Chinagozi Adindu, and the representative of World Health Organizations (WHO) partners, Dr. Linus Okoro, lauded the Governor for always leading in the fight against COVID-19 and for showing a high level of commitment towards the wellbeing of the people of Abia State. He also commended the efforts of the task force team, noting that all measures put in place to curtail the spread of the virus will yield positive results.
    In her vote of thanks, the State Epidemiologist/Incident Manager for COVID-19, Lady Peace Nwogwugwu, thanked the government of Abia State for the massive support to the fight against the virus and urged Abians to volunteer themselves for the mass community testing so as to ascertain their health status.
    The event which featured collection of samples for COVID-19 testing from volunteers was well attended by dignitaries in the State such as the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Abia State Head of Service, Sir Onyi Wamah, Head of Service Umuahia South LGA, former Commissioner Bureau of Training and Establishment, Lady Elizabeth Uhuegbu, Traditional Rulers of communities in Umuahia South LGA in the State among others.
  • Group demands domestication of Violence Against Persons Act in Abia

    Group demands domestication of Violence Against Persons Act in Abia

    By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

    Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, (FENRAD) has strongly demanded the Abia State House of Assembly to expedite a tions for speedy domestication of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, (VAPP Act, 2015) as a state law.

    The group explained that the demand became expedient from events spilling from the lockdown which it says has triggered Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and domestic violence, mostly against women and girls (minors).

    FENRAD in a statement by its Executive Director, Nnanna Nwafor, opines that that violent activities” increased by folds during the recently eased lockdown most of which were not documented, even unreported across the federation”.

    Part of the statement reads”the spate of sexual harassment, assault, violence, and abuse calls for serious concern, even immediate response.

    “The tragic rape and murder of two female undergraduates: Miss Vera Omozuwa, a 22-year-old student of Microbiology with University of Benin and Miss Barakat Bello, an 18-year-old student of Science Laboratory Technology with University of Ibadan, both of which occurred on May 27, 2020 and June 1, 2020 respectively, brought the issue of rape and violence to the fore”.

    The group therefore commends the governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu(PhD) for joining the rest 35 state governors in declaring a “state of emergency” on rape.

    It also enjoined the House to take the lead in the crusade against sexual and gender-based violence or domestic violence.

    According to United Nations Population Funds,”violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It knows no social, economic or national boundaries. Worldwide, an estimated one in three women will experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime”.

    The body further explains that gender-based violence undermines the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims, yet it remains shrouded in a culture of silence, adding that victims of violence can suffer sexual and reproductive health consequences, including forced and unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, traumatic fistula, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and even death”.