Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has reiterated that education and healthcare remain critical priorities of his administration. He expressed this commitment while receiving the Board of Trustees of Lux Mundi University, Umuahia, on Wednesday, July 16, at Government House.
The delegation, led by the university’s Alternate Board Chairman and Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, visited the governor to brief him on a new partnership with the U.S.-based America Home & Health Training Institute. As part of the partnership, 50 students of Lux Mundi University will travel to the United States next month for an exchange programme.
Governor Otti, while welcoming the news, said the partnership aligns perfectly with his administration’s agenda. “Education and health have remained major priorities since we assumed office in 2023. In the last 24 months, we allocated 15% of our budget to health and 20% to education,” he said.
Highlighting challenges in both sectors, the governor lamented the increasing number of out-of-school children and the dilapidated state of schools, which he traced to unaffordable school fees. He noted that his administration responded by introducing free and compulsory basic education, leading to a significant spike in school enrollment.
To address the resulting shortage of teachers, the state employed 5,364 new teachers and is currently processing the recruitment of an additional 4,000. “We also improved teacher welfare to make the profession more attractive than even the mainstream civil service,” Governor Otti added.
On the health front, the governor revealed that none of the 948 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the state was functional when he assumed office. His administration designed a minimum standard template for PHCs and began renovating, remodeling, and retrofitting 200 of them.
“So far, 138 PHCs have been fully retrofitted and powered with renewable energy, while work continues on the remaining 62,” he said. To complement the infrastructure, the government has approved the recruitment of 771 healthcare professionals, with the application portal currently open.
“We must be intentional with policies that retain our healthcare workers,” Otti stated, adding that residents who previously had no access to healthcare now enjoy basic medical services, thanks to ongoing investments.
He commended Lux Mundi University for introducing the Faculty of Nursing and Health Services and assured the institution of continued government support. He also thanked Dr. Maria Santiago, CEO of the America Home & Health Training Institute, for partnering with the university and supporting the student exchange programme.
In her remarks, Dr. Santiago expressed appreciation for the warm reception and pledged continued support for Lux Mundi University’s growth and success.
Founder and Pro-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Gabriel Okenwa, OFR, lauded Governor Otti’s transformational leadership. He revealed that a 2014 book he authored on transformational leadership featured Otti as a case study and affirmed that the governor’s achievements today are a testament to that vision.
Earlier, Prof. Ahmed Audi introduced the delegation and praised the governor’s developmental strides. The visit was also attended by top Abia State government officials.
Leave a comment