Post by SSA.NEWMEDIA.ABIA (@SSANEWMEDIAABIA)
EXPANDING ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION
Being the Text of an Address Presented by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, at a Ceremony to Officially Commission Umuomaiukwu Smart School at the School Premises in Umuomaiukwu Community, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area on Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Protocol
1. The ultimate measure of a society’s aspiration is in the size of the resources it commits to the education of its people, for learning is the foundation of becoming. Investing in quality education is never about increasing the number of persons with bogus academic certificates but an expression of confidence in the capacity of the human mind, when properly nurtured, to create infinite possibilities, challenge assumptions and open new frontiers that ultimately advance the human experience beyond the limits of time and geography. Education, beyond its potential to open our minds through the light of knowledge, offers us the gear to walk the highway of life in self-assurance, certain that we have been called unto greatness, equipped to build wonders and inspired to make the most of the opportunities that come our way as we climb the ladder of our dreams.
2. Two weeks ago in Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA, we commissioned the first of the 20 smart school projects that shall be delivered across the 17 local government areas of the State in the months ahead. At the event which had the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, in attendance, we made it clear that the remainder of the year will be quite busy as we open the new schools to expand the frontlines of learning for about 6, 000 pupils resident in different urban and rural communities across the State. The Abia smart schools idea is unique for a number of reasons. First, it is structured to drive the transition from rote learning to experiential learning for the pupils. Second, the entire ecosystem, from the classrooms to the general environment, quality of teachers and facilities are set up to inspire the pupils to dream and aspire to do great things over the course of their lives. More importantly, the smart schools represent the highest expression of our commitment to the long-term development of the State because as I mentioned a fortnight ago, wealth in the new age is no longer restricted to what is buried beneath the surface of the earth; prosperity in the current epoch now resides in the value of the mind’s output — the capacity to create value and transform ideas into tangible products and solutions, ones that improve the social and economic experiences of the human population.
3. This afternoon, we have gathered in Umuomaiukwu to open the gates of qualitative learning to our children. I would like to thank the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi and his team for working hard to deliver this project as designed. May I also thank our dear parents, community leaders and everyone who believed in the dream and gave their unflinching support as we built, brick by brick. One thing that sets us apart as an administration, beyond the sincerity of purpose that underpins all our initiatives and programmes, is the commitment to timely execution and delivery.
4. Over the last 3 years, hundreds of physical infrastructure projects have been delivered in almost every community in the State simply on the strength of our philosophy of effective planning and prudence in resource application. In the new Abia, projects are conceived to meet practical social and economic needs and ultimately, become the springboard of enduring prosperity. The volume of investments made in the delivery of physical infrastructure projects, from roads to schools, health facilities, electricity and public transport system, are in fidelity to our promise to build a society that supports the dreams and endeavours of its hardworking men and women. Events like this, present us a special opportunity to thank our people, all of you, for believing in us, trusting us and remaining adamant in your conviction that we are the team to build the Abia of our collective dreams. This great State, as the Umuomaiukwu Smart School project demonstrates, is better today on the strength of your faith and resilience.
5. Permit me, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, to take a moment to speak to the pupils currently enrolled in this school and the ones to join in the weeks and months ahead; this project is the highest expression of our faith in the limitless potential that each of you carry. Beyond the generous outlay in the procurement and installation of the state-of-the-art facilities, efforts have been made to find and train the best teachers to drive the learning process in this school so you clearly have no excuse not to do well in your academics and thereafter.
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