The Abia State Government has announced plans to organise a mandatory five-day orientation programme for newly recruited teachers as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s education system and prepare the teachers for effective service.
The orientation programme is scheduled to hold from September 7 to September 12, 2026.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, August 31, while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
According to Kanu, the orientation exercise will take place simultaneously at Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, and the Federal Government Girls’ College, Umuahia.
He explained that the newly recruited teachers would be allowed to choose their preferred training venue through the Ministry of Basic Education’s portal.
New Teachers to Receive Training in Modern Teaching Methods
Prince Kanu said the programme was designed to properly acquaint the new teachers with the responsibilities and expectations of public and civil servants.
He added that participants would also be introduced to the vision and strategic direction of the education sector under the administration of Governor Alex Otti.
The training will further expose the teachers to modern learner-centred teaching methods and other approaches aimed at improving learning outcomes in public schools across Abia State.
According to the Commissioner, participants will receive training in digital literacy, classroom technology, data-driven teaching tools, STEM education methodologies and vocational alignment.
Experts from relevant fields are expected to serve as resource persons during the orientation programme.
Abia Records Progress in Drive to End Network Black Spots
Meanwhile, the Abia State Government says significant progress has been made in its partnership with MTN Nigeria Limited to improve voice and data coverage across the state.
Prince Kanu disclosed that about 77 per cent of the newly deployed network sites were already operational.
He said the expansion had brought improved telecommunications services to several previously underserved communities, allowing more residents to access reliable voice and internet services.
However, the Commissioner expressed concern over the vandalisation of some newly installed network sites and fibre infrastructure, particularly in parts of Aba.
According to him, the incidents affected the state’s progress towards achieving near-total network coverage.
Kanu said MTN was working to restore the damaged infrastructure and return the state to the almost 100 per cent coverage level recorded a few weeks earlier.
Communities Benefiting From New Network Infrastructure
Some of the locations benefiting from the newly deployed telecommunications infrastructure include the Aba-Umuahia Road axis in Isiala Ngwa South, Umuako Health Centre in Isiala Ngwa North and the St. Theresa’s School area in Umuahia South.
Other locations include Osundi-Ibunda-Abo Nkporo in Ohafia, Umuozo Community, Ikeduru Street in Aba and the Isiaku Primary Health Centre area in Alayi.
The Commissioner appealed to residents and host communities to take ownership of the facilities and protect them from vandalism.
He stressed that the communication infrastructure was being installed to improve the lives of Abians and support economic activities across the state.
Kanu expressed optimism that the affected sites would be restored in the coming weeks, helping the state move closer to its target of 100 per cent voice and data coverage.
He noted that improved internet connectivity would play an important role in transforming Abia’s business environment and supporting economic growth.
Abia Continues Road Maintenance and Infrastructure Projects
On infrastructure development, Kanu disclosed that direct-labour maintenance activities were carried out at 43 locations across Abia State during the period under review.
He said two maintenance projects had been completed, while no additional projects were added to the maintenance schedule.
The completed projects include rainy-season maintenance work on the 5.2-kilometre Umuehim-Okpuala Ngwa Road, which cuts across Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Areas.
Also completed was the 250-metre access road leading to the Chidi Ubani Memorial Hospital at the Obingwa Local Government Headquarters.
The Commissioner further disclosed that 26 road projects remained under contract across the state.
He explained that construction activities had slowed at many locations because of the heavy rains, although survey and inspection exercises were continuing to ensure that contractors maintained approved specifications, alignments and construction standards.
Government Assists Abians Affected by Xenophobic Violence in South Africa
Prince Kanu also said the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection was coordinating efforts to protect, voluntarily repatriate and reintegrate Abians affected by xenophobic violence in South Africa.
He disclosed that the ministry was processing another batch of returnees while maintaining communication with leaders of the Abia community in South Africa.
The engagement, he said, was aimed at identifying and verifying other stranded Abians who may require assistance to return home safely.
Kanu assured that the Abia State Government would continue to support citizens facing difficult circumstances abroad.
According to him, the government remains committed to identifying vulnerable Abians and making efforts to ensure their safe return to Nigeria and eventual reintegration into their communities.
2026 Abia Women’s August Meeting Hailed as Success
Speaking on the recently concluded 2026 Abia Women’s August Meeting, the Commissioner described the programme as a new approach to grassroots development and strategic empowerment of women across the state’s 17 local government areas.
He said the initiative went beyond the traditional cultural and social activities commonly associated with August meetings.
According to Kanu, the programme incorporated economic empowerment, skills acquisition, social protection and targeted support for widows and other vulnerable women.
He said the initiative aligned with Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to women’s empowerment and the First Lady’s agenda for women’s mobilisation and development.
Kanu added that the programme recorded notable achievements in supporting entrepreneurship, promoting sustainable livelihoods and drawing greater attention to the needs of vulnerable women across the state.
Eight Cases of Gender-Based Violence Recorded
The Commissioner further disclosed that Abia State’s Sexual Assault Referral Centres recorded eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence during the period under review.
He said the survivors were between four and 25 years old.
According to Kanu, the reported cases allegedly involved abuse by neighbours, landlords, family members and, in one case, an employee.
He added that some of the younger victims were allegedly subjected to repeated abuse by the same perpetrators.
The Sexual Assault Referral Centres, he said, provided medical care, psychosocial support and legal assistance to survivors while working with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those responsible for the crimes were brought to justice.
The press briefing was attended by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Mrs Maureen Aghaukwa; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma; and the Chief Information Officer of the State, Mr. Gerald Illukwe.
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The developments highlight the Abia State Government’s continuing focus on education, digital connectivity, infrastructure development, social protection, women’s empowerment and the protection of vulnerable residents across the state.
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