Gov Otti Warns Against Non-Enrollment In School, Apologises To Abia Children

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has apologised to Abia children for the hardship and humiliation they and their parents have endured as a result of poor leadership, particularly in the last eight years, prior to his assumption of office on May 29, 2023.

Governor Otti assured the children that under his watch, no child would be subjected to the hardships they had to endure as a result of the previous administration’s failure to pay salaries and pensions to their parents, guardians, and beneficiaries.

According to Kazie Uko, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Otti spoke on Monday at the 2024 Children’s Day celebration with the theme “Enhancing the Total Well-being of the Nigerian Child Through Quality Education and Skills Development,” where he was the Special Guest of Honour.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the Abia children for the poor leadership we have provided for them. We are aware of the difficulties that you have faced, both directly and indirectly.

“When your parents were owed a pension, as were your benefactors and supporters.

“When the roads were impassable, when everything smelled and was indecent, our schools were dilapidated, and hospitals became death centres, those were the results of poor leadership.

“We would like to thank God that the storm is over. However, we will not pretend that what happened in the past did not occur because we are all witnesses.

“I want to assure you that from now on, the story will be different,” he said.

Governor Otti, who defied the heavy rain as he stood on the podium to accept a salute from equally determined pupils and students, described non-enrollment of school-age children in the state as unacceptable, warning of severe consequences for parents and guardians who refuse to bring out their children or wards.

He stated that the policy would be supported by legislation enacted by the State House of Assembly, which would impose penalties on offenders.

“It is now an offence for any child of school age to not attend school.

“We will back that up with legislation, which will impose penalties on any parent who refuses to bring his child out for education.

“We also recognise that some parents may be financially challenged. The Ministry of Education is looking into ways to create scholarships that will benefit not only the educationally advantaged but also the disadvantaged,” he said.

While stating that he was serious about protecting Abia children’s rights, the Governor stated that no child in the state would be marginalised or molested during his administration.

He stated that the government has allocated 20% of the state budget to education in 2024, and vowed to stop at nothing to ensure that primary and secondary schools have basic minimum standards, such as science and technology laboratories, hostels, teachers’ quarters, electronic libraries, and other modern facilities.

Governor Otti, who stated that he would continue to prioritise the welfare of children in the state, announced the elimination of levies for special books for students at the School for the Blind, Afara, Umuahia, as well as the donation of a bus to them. He also directed the Commissioner for Lands and Housing to begin perimeter fencing around the school.

The Governor was moved to tears by the plight of children with special needs and declared that the Special Education Centre for the Deaf and Mentally Retarded would now be known and addressed as the ‘Special Education Centre for the Deaf and Mentally Challenged’.

He also announced the donation of a bus to the school and promised that the government would properly upgrade and equip the school to accommodate a secondary section.

Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the Governor’s wife, listed interventions by her office aimed at empowering Abia children, reducing out-of-school children, donating school supplies, and other initiatives in a message, asking that adult education and mass literacy centres in the state be revived to bridge the literacy gap and foster a culture of lifelong learning.

Earlier, Mrs. Ngozi Blessing Felix, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, stated that the day was set aside to commemorate and cherish children’s potentials, as well as to honour the younger generation, who will shape the future.

The Commissioner, while emphasising that the current administration is committed to prioritising the welfare of Abia children, advised parents to provide their children with the necessary guidance to thrive in the future.