Gov. Otti(seated) listens with rapt attention, as the NUT boss delivers his speech
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, says his government is intentional about education in the State, hence, his commitment to reforming the education sector.
Governor Otti stated this when he received the Regional Chairman/Enugu State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), East Regional Working Committee in his office.
The Governor noted that his government takes education seriously, and has consistently funded the education sector with 20 percent of the State’s annual budget for three consecutive years.
“We are also very intentional because we know the outcomes we expect.
“We take education very, very seriously. And the simple reason is that none of us will probably be sitting here if we are not educated.
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And that’s why we have consistently in the last three years, committed one fifth of our budgets to education, and it will continue that way, so far as I sit here.
The Governor noted that because of his interest in education, he has been renovating and building schools, he has ensured better remuneration for teachers, recruitment and training of teachers among others.
The State Chief Executive said that he is happy that the State Government sees positive results in the investments that have been taking place in the education sector, including the ones the NUT Regional Chairman has highlighted.
“We are looking at school enrolments, we are looking at the performance of the students in different areas.
“And those outcomes that we want to see, we work with them to ensure that the results speak.
“So, you have the facts already. And I am happy that you have listed them out. So, there is not much for me to say again,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor noted their requests and assured of his readiness to look into them, and appreciated them for commending his efforts towards changing the narrative in the education sector.
Earlier
, the Regional Chairman/Enugu State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), East Regional Working Committee, Comrade Odo Nweke, while explaining that the body represents the 9 States of the Old Eastern region, saluted Governor Otti for the things he has been doing for the teachers in Abia State and urged him to keep it up.
He said that the union has heard much about Governor Alex Otti and decided to come and thank him, and assured him of the support of teachers to him.
“We have heard much about Dr Alex Otti and considered it necessary to come and say, thank you sir.
“If we start to enumerate what you have done, they are many.
“Allocating 20 percent of the annual budget to education, we are aware of that. Recruitment of 5394 teachers and the ongoing recruitment of another 4,000 teachers.
“Regular payment of teachers’ salaries all to your glory. Payment of arrears of 17 months salaries owed by the past administration to our teachers… building of smart schools in Abia State, approval of 65 years of retirement for teachers. They are many sir and we said we should come and appreciate you,” Comrade Nweke stated.
Present at the visit were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribeole, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Elder Goodluck Ubochi, Special Adviser on Education Kenechukwu Nwosu, SSA New Media Samuel Obinna Igwe, ASUBEB Chairman Lady Lydia Onuoha among others.
