From Mark Chukwu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving educational standards, ethical conduct, environmental sanitation, and infrastructure development across the state.
This was disclosed after the weekly Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Alex Otti at Government House, Umuahia.
Speaking to journalists, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, announced that the state government has constituted a five-member special investigative committee to examine recent allegations of harassment and extortion involving lecturers and students at Abia State University.
According to him, the move is part of the government’s determination to uphold academic excellence and maintain the highest ethical standards in state-owned tertiary institutions.
The committee is chaired by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Caleb Ajagba, while the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dodoh Okafor, will serve as secretary.
Other members of the panel include Chinedu Ekeke, Idowu Eluwa, and Lawrence Idemudua.
Prince Kanu explained that the committee’s responsibilities include identifying perpetrators involved in the allegations and making appropriate recommendations to the university authorities. The panel will also investigate claims of certificate forgery against a lecturer, assess the implementation level of the 2024 visitation panel white paper, identify existing gaps, and address other issues connected to the restoration and transformation of the university into a center of academic excellence.
He added that the committee would collaborate closely with the university’s governing council during the course of its assignment.
In another development, the Commissioner disclosed that the 2026 Annual School Census commenced on May 11 across the three senatorial zones of the state. He explained that the exercise is aimed at generating reliable educational data for planning, policy formulation, and access to the Hope Education Intervention Grant.
The state government also revealed that the Abia State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education has established 140 learning centers across the state to provide educational opportunities for adults and individuals who missed formal education earlier in life.
As part of ongoing education reforms, the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board recently organized training and capacity-building programmes for 265 head teachers and 306 early childhood care development teachers to improve school management and learning outcomes.
On environmental sanitation, the General Manager of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, Ogbonnaya Okereke, disclosed that the agency has begun full enforcement of waste bin usage in all commercial vehicles across the state.
He stated that the policy is intended to promote cleanliness and proper waste disposal habits among residents and commuters, adding that ASEPA’s efforts have contributed significantly to Abia’s reputation as one of the cleanest states in Nigeria.
Okereke further noted that the agency is working to provide additional public waste bins in underserved areas and urged residents to continue supporting the environmental reforms of Governor Otti’s administration.
The Commissioner also highlighted progress in road infrastructure projects across the state. He revealed that three out of 29 roads under contract have been completed and will soon be commissioned. The projects include the Umuogo-Nsukwe Ring Road, the dualization of Onuimo Bridge–Abia Tower Road, and the reconstruction and extension of the Nunya–Eluama Road.
Additionally, five roads executed under direct labour have also been completed. These include repairs on failed sections of the Osisioma Flyover, rehabilitation works around the Ugwunagbo Local Government Secretariat, asphalt overlay on Adaelu Road in Aba, construction of the Obete-Te Imuopara Road in Obingwa LGA, and the Geometric Power to Guineas Junction Road in Aba.
Prince Kanu also informed journalists that Governor Otti recently paid a courtesy visit to Mathew Verghis in Abuja to strengthen collaboration between the Abia State Government and the World Bank.
According to him, the meeting focused on reviewing ongoing development programmes and exploring new partnership opportunities capable of accelerating growth in sectors such as energy, education, agriculture, and ICT.
The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Felix, commended the Governor’s engagement with the World Bank and expressed optimism that Abia would continue to benefit from strategic development partnerships.
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Meanwhile, the state government announced plans to host Nnaemeka Achebe on May 15, 2026, in celebration of his 85th birthday anniversary. The government said the event reflects Governor Otti’s commitment to promoting integrity, exemplary leadership, and positive role models for young people.
