Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has established a special committee to coordinate the comprehensive revitalisation of Ngwa High School, Aba, alongside a ₦10 million pledge to support vulnerable students and other participants at a reception organised in his honour by the school’s Old Boys Association.
The Governor announced the initiatives on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during a grand reception hosted by the Ngwa High School Old Boys Association (NHSOBA), bringing together distinguished alumni and top government officials to celebrate his contributions to Abia State.
Otti Names Committee Members for School Revitalisation
Governor Otti named Dr. Reginald Stanley as chairman of the revitalisation committee, with Prof. Jasper Jumbo, Akasha Wata, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu and the Governor himself as members.
He directed the committee to convene a meeting within the week, either physically or virtually, to identify the school’s most pressing needs and develop a coordinated plan for intervention.
According to the Governor, the proposed initiative will extend beyond ongoing renovation projects, with the broader objective of restoring Ngwa High School’s reputation as a centre for quality education, character development and leadership training.
Among the priority projects identified are the construction of a perimeter fence, road paving within the school, improvement of library resources and completion of the proposed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre.
He also directed the committee to address outstanding issues concerning the naming of school facilities as part of efforts to ensure a coordinated approach to the institution’s redevelopment.
Free Education Drives Increase in School Enrolment
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to free and compulsory basic education, Governor Otti maintained that every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of family income or social background.
He disclosed that the policy had contributed to increased school enrolment across Abia State, necessitating the recruitment of 5,394 teachers in the previous year and an additional 4,075 teachers to improve teaching capacity and strengthen learning outcomes.
The Governor stressed that education remains a vital instrument for social mobility and sustainable development, adding that government policies must create opportunities for children to develop their abilities irrespective of their circumstances.
He further explained that good governance should prioritise equal opportunities, particularly for individuals and families facing economic hardship.
Otti Highlights Support for Vulnerable Citizens
Speaking on his administration’s social protection initiatives, the Governor cited the Abia State Senior Citizens Act and the scholarship programme of the Alex Otti Foundation as examples of interventions designed to support vulnerable groups and expand access to opportunities.
He emphasised that poverty should not prevent talented young people from achieving their ambitions, noting that public policies should help bridge the gap between disadvantaged citizens and those with greater access to resources.
As part of his support for the Ngwa High School community, Otti pledged ₦10 million for students, vulnerable learners and cultural groups that participated in the reception.
The Governor also clarified that ₦4 million of the pledged amount would supplement the ₦1 million previously committed by Prof. Jasper Jumbo for vulnerable students, bringing the total support earmarked for that category to ₦5 million.
The commitment underscores the importance of supporting students who may face financial challenges while pursuing their education.
Ngwa High School Alumni Commend Otti’s Leadership
In his remarks, the President-General of the Ngwa High School Old Boys Association, Rt. Rev. Bishop Christian Ugwuzor, described the reception as a symbolic homecoming for a distinguished alumnus returning to the institution that helped shape his values.
He said Governor Otti had carried the school’s core principles of Excellence, Integrity and Discipline into public service, reflecting the institution’s motto.
Bishop Ugwuzor commended the Governor’s performance in office, highlighting developments in road infrastructure, healthcare, education and public service administration across the state.
He assured Otti that the Old Boys Association would continue to support his leadership, expressing confidence in the direction of governance in Abia.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Dr. Reginald Chika Stanley, said the gathering provided an opportunity for the Governor’s former schoolmates to reaffirm their support for him as both an alumnus and the state’s chief executive.
Stanley encouraged Otti to sustain his administration’s development efforts, describing him as the best governor Abia State had produced since 1999.
Organisers Celebrate Governor’s Achievements
In his welcome address, the chairman of the planning committee and Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, described the event as a celebration of one of Ngwa High School’s outstanding products.
He noted that the Governor’s achievements had brought recognition to the institution, adding that its motto, Dives Intra, represents enduring values of character, discipline and excellence.
Other alumni, including Chief Chibuike Achugbu of the 1982 set, Dr. Sunny Ajala, SAN, and Prof. Jasper Jumbo, also commended the Governor for his leadership and public service.
They expressed pride in Otti’s emergence as the first alumnus of Ngwa High School to become governor of Abia State and pledged their continued support for his administration.
The alumni further promised to mobilise support for his re-election bid in 2027.
The reception attracted senior government officials, distinguished alumni and other members of the Ngwa High School community, reflecting the institution’s continued connection with its former students.
With the establishment of the revitalisation committee and the financial commitment to vulnerable learners, the event highlighted the importance of alumni involvement, educational investment and social inclusion in strengthening Abia State’s education sector.
