Gov. Otti Approves Automatic Employment for 50 TechRise Graduates

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has approved automatic employment for 50 outstanding graduates of the TechRise Cohort 2 programme into relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the state civil service.

The governor announced the decision on Saturday, December 20, during the graduation ceremony of 849 trainees who completed a three-month intensive programme in 21st-century digital skills. The event was held at the JAAC Building, Secretariat, Umuahia.

Governor Otti explained that the employment offer is subject to the beneficiaries meeting all documentation requirements for civil service engagement. He disclosed that the embargo on recruitment had been temporarily lifted to accommodate the 50 graduates and would be reinstated immediately after the exercise.

He noted that a total of 1,359 beneficiaries have completed the TechRise programme within the past 12 months, providing critical manpower to drive the state’s digital transformation agenda. According to him, the initiative was designed to build an elite pool of competent ICT professionals capable of supporting efficient governance and service delivery.

“As we reposition our service delivery architecture to run efficiently on a digital superhighway, our goal is to reduce reliance on paper, provide round-the-clock services and improve turnaround time,” Otti said.

The governor added that the state government is investing in broadband infrastructure across Abia, announcing that the Umuahia Dedicated Internet Access and Wide Area Network project has been completed and is fully operational across government offices in the capital.

He also revealed that the Abia State Duct Infrastructure Development Project, recently launched in Aba, is aimed at making every community in the state economically functional. Otti reiterated his administration’s commitment to making Abia “the home of bountiful rewards for all hardworking individuals.”

In a show of support, the governor approved a Christmas package of ₦50,000 each for the 849 graduates and ₦100,000 each for prize winners. He further directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to provide transportation allowances for the graduates to return to their respective local government headquarters.

A minute’s silence was observed in honour of a trainee, Mr Princewill Ogbonnia, who died days before the graduation ceremony, as the governor extended condolences to his family.

In their remarks, the Commissioners for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu; Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr David Kalu; and Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, praised Governor Otti’s commitment to youth empowerment and ICT development in the state.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, commended the state–local government collaboration, noting that the programme also instilled leadership, discipline and resilience in the participants.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Learn Factory and TechRise Programme Coordinator, Mr Chibueze Ukaegbu, urged the graduates to effectively utilise the skills acquired to create value.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Miss Chinwemeri Benjamin expressed gratitude to the governor for the training, provision of laptops and other support, noting that the programme would enhance their economic independence.

The event, which attracted top state and local government officials, featured testimonials from beneficiaries, including Cohort 1 graduate Mr Charles Ikechukwu, who developed a waste-to-wealth application, and Mr Stephen Uche Onyegbulam, whose team created an app to help stranded motorists locate nearby mechanics. Certificates were also presented to the graduates.