Gov. Otti Reaffirms Commitment to Workers’ Welfare, Skill Development, and Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has restated his administration’s strong commitment to workers’ welfare, skill acquisition, and the fight against gender-based violence, emphasizing that these areas remain central to his government’s human capital development agenda.

Governor Otti made this known on Friday, October 17, while receiving in audience the new State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. (Mrs.) Helen Okpara, at the Government House, Umuahia.

Highlighting his government’s dedication to equipping Abians with modern, globally competitive skills, the Governor revealed that 510 youths had already been trained in technology and digital fields, while another 850 participants — 50 from each of the state’s 17 local government areas — are currently undergoing a 12-week intensive TechRise training programme in Aba. He also announced the inauguration of a Technological Skills Acquisition Centre chaired by U.S.-based inventor, Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe.

“We take skill acquisition very seriously. Our focus is on preparing Abians to compete in a world driven by artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, electric vehicles, and automation,” Governor Otti stated, adding that new skill centres are being established in Mgbarakuma (Ubakala), Ohafia, and Aba.

On gender-based violence, the Governor directed the Commissioner for Women Affairs to collaborate closely with the State Controller to ensure prompt and effective responses to reported cases. He noted that the Ministry of Women Affairs has a dedicated programme and budget for handling such cases, emphasizing that “any incident of gender-based violence should be reported directly to the Ministry, not just the police.”

Governor Otti also commended Dr. Okpara for her efforts and lauded the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Dr. Nkiruka Onyejiocha, for her impactful leadership at the national level.

In her remarks, Dr. Okpara applauded the Otti administration for transforming Abia’s labour environment through prompt salary payments, infrastructural renewal, and the clearance of inherited wage arrears — particularly at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital. She also praised the recruitment of over 5,000 teachers, describing it as a move that has empowered many households and aligned with the Federal Government’s Sustainable Skills for the Unemployed (SUSI) initiative.

She appealed for stronger collaboration between the State and Federal Governments in tackling child labour and gender-based violence and proposed the establishment of a functional skill acquisition centre to empower non-graduates with internationally recognised trade test certifications.

The meeting was attended by the Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere; Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr. Kingsley Nwokocha; SSA on Labour Relations, Comrade Godson Anucha; among others.