Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has announced a N100 million business grant for 100 graduates of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, as part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to promote entrepreneurship and technical capacity among youths.
The governor made the announcement on Friday, 5 December, during the 22nd convocation ceremony of the institution, which graduated a total of 2,178 students.
Otti stated that the grant is targeted at graduates who earned distinctions in their final results and possess feasible and scalable business ideas. Qualified applicants are expected to submit their business plans electronically before 31 December 2025.
The governor also confirmed that the previously announced N150 million grant to 150 students has been fully disbursed to beneficiaries who met the qualification requirements. He said the government would monitor the progress of the beneficiaries and extend additional support to outstanding performers.
Technical Training Initiative Announced
Governor Otti further directed relevant state ministries and development authorities to design a six-month field training programme for 200 students with proven technical skills.
The programme is expected to engage selected participants in state projects covering road construction, housing, power, water supply and other related sectors.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at integrating skilled youths into the state’s economic development agenda rather than allowing them to “wander off without support” after graduation.
Institution Records Milestone Achievements
Governor Otti commended the management of the institution for infrastructural improvements at the Osisioma permanent campus, which he said would be commissioned in due course. He acknowledged the Rector, Engr. Dr. Christopher Kalu Okoro, and his team for driving what he described as “holistic transformation” over the past two years.
Chairman of the Governing Council, Engr. Stanley Egege, attributed recent successes to consistent government support.
The Rector disclosed that all 31 academic programmes presented for accreditation received approval, describing the outcome as unprecedented within Nigeria’s tertiary education system. He added that the institution would commence routine functions at the Osisioma campus in January 2026.
Posthumous Honour for Late Ogbonnaya Onu
A posthumous award was presented to the late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, first civilian Governor of Abia State and founder of the institution. Presenting the award to his widow, Dr. (Mrs.) Chinyere Onu, Governor Otti said the renaming of the institution was intended to immortalize his legacy.
Best Graduating Student Emerges
Awards were presented to the best graduating students from each faculty, with Nwosu Goodness Chimamanda of the Department of Computer Science emerging overall best graduate with a 3.94 CGPA.
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Dignitaries Attend Convocation
The event was attended by senior government officials, including Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, and several commissioners.
Speakers at the event commended the governor for reforms in the institution, describing it as a model of transformation.