Abia State Government (ABSG) has announced it will conduct a mandatory five-day orientation programme for newly recruited teachers in the state from September 7 to 12, 2026.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, August 31, 2026, while briefing newsmen at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
He explained that the training would be held at Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, and Federal Government Girls’ College, Umuahia respectively with participants expected to select their preferred venue through the Ministry of Basic Education’s portal.
Prince Kanu said the orientation would expose the new teachers to the responsibilities and expectations of public and civil servants, the vision and strategic direction of education under the Governor Otti administration, as well as modern learner-centred teaching methods.
According to him, participants would also receive training in digital literacy, classroom technology, data-driven teaching tools, STEM methodologies and vocational alignment, with experts in the various fields serving as resource persons.
The Commissioner disclosed that considerable progress has been made in its partnership with MTN Nigeria Limited to achieve full voice and data coverage across the state, with 77 per cent of newly deployed network sites currently operational.
According to him, the improved network coverage has extended telecommunications services to previously underserved communities across the state, with residents now enjoying better access to voice and data services.
He, however, expressed concern over the vandalisation of some network sites and fibre infrastructure, particularly in parts of Aba, which he said had affected progress towards achieving almost 100 per cent coverage. “MTN Nigeria Limited is working assiduously to regain the almost 100 per cent coverage that was achieved a few weeks ago before the vandalisation of most of the new sites,” Prince Kanu stated.
The Commissioner listed some of the locations benefiting from the newly deployed infrastructure to include Aba-Umuahia Road in Isiala Ngwa South, Umuako Health Centre in Isiala Ngwa North, St. Theresa’s School axis in Umuahia South, Osundi-Ibunda-Abo Nkporo in Ohafia, Umuozo Community and Ikeduru Street in Aba, as well as Isiaku Primary Health Centre, Alayi.
He appealed to residents and communities to protect the infrastructure, stressing that the facilities were being installed for their benefit.
“These communication and network assets are being installed for the use and convenience of Abians and residents. We therefore urge communities to take ownership and help protect them from vandalism,” Prince Kanu stated.
He expressed optimism that MTN would restore the affected sites in the coming weeks, bringing coverage back to the targeted 100 per cent.
“The belief is that in the coming weeks, we will go back to 100 per cent coverage, so that in every part of Abia State where you are, you will be able to make use of the internet, both voice and data. This is a project that is expected to redefine the business landscape of the state,” the Commissioner said.
On infrastructure development, the commissioner disclosed that direct-labour maintenance works were undertaken at 43 locations across the state during the period under review, with two projects completed and no new project added to the maintenance schedule.
The completed works included the rainy-season maintenance of the 5.2-kilometre Umuehim-Okpuala Ngwa road, which traverses Isiala Ngwa North and South Local Government Areas, as well as the 250-metre access road to the Chma Ubani Memorial Hospital at the Obingwa Local Government Headquarters.
He added that 26 road projects remained under contract, although work had slowed considerably at most sites due to the heavier rainy season. He noted that survey and inspection activities were nevertheless ongoing at various project locations to ensure that approved alignments, levels and specifications were maintained.
Prince Kanu also disclosed that the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection was coordinating the protection, voluntary repatriation and reintegration of Abians affected by xenophobic violence in South Africa.
He said the Ministry was processing an additional batch of returnees while maintaining contact with leaders of the Abia community in South Africa to identify and verify other stranded Abians in need of assistance.
“The state government will not relent in providing assistance to our less fortunate brothers and sisters who are facing difficult circumstances in South Africa.
“Through the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, we will continue to identify such Abians and make efforts to ensure that they return safely to the country and to their home state,” Prince Kanu assured.
Speaking on the recently concluded 2026 Abia Women’s August Meeting, the Commissioner described the programme as a new model for grassroots development and strategic empowerment of women across the 17 local government areas.
He said the initiative had moved beyond the traditional cultural and social focus of August meetings to incorporate economic empowerment, skills development, social protection and support for vulnerable women.
Prince Kanu said the programme was consistent with Governor Otti’s commitment to women’s empowerment and the First Lady’s agenda for women’s mobilisation and development.
“The 2026 version of the August meetings may have come and gone, but it has left a trail of success, particularly in attention to widows and vulnerable women, support for entrepreneurship and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods. These are lessons that need to be properly documented for future reference in the state,” he said.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the state’s Sexual Assault Referral Centres recorded eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence during the period under review, involving survivors between four and 25 years of age.
He said the reported cases involved abuse by neighbours, landlords, family members and, in one instance, an employee, with some young victims allegedly subjected to repeated assaults by the same perpetrator.
According to him, the centres provided medical, psychosocial and legal support to survivors and were collaborating with law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators were brought to justice.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Mrs Maureen Aghaukwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma and the Chief Information Officer of the State, Mr. Gerald Illukwe were present at the press briefing.
E-signed
OGE CHRISTOPHER & CHINWE
INFORMATION OFFICERS
GOVERNMENT HOUSE UMUAHIA
