From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Government will recruit additional 4,000 teachers to measure up with the upsurge in the enrollment of pupils and students in the basic public schools in the State.
Governor Alex Otti who disclosed this in Umuahia when he hosted former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to a dinner at Government House, Umuahia, said he was passionate about child education, especially that of the poor.
“I want every child in this State to have the same opportunities that I had. The son of a poor man can become someone tomorrow just because of that opportunity.”
Otti recalled that the state he met basic education in public schools led him to declare free and compulsory education.
He added that he equally set up a taskforce to enforce the policy but was surprised that people were willing to embrace education without enforcement.
“You go out in the streets and you see children hawking from 8am and it has become clear to me that these people were not in school not because they didn’t want to be in school but they couldn’t afford the fees. But, I was still in doubt, then I said okay, we are going to make this education free and compulsory.
“So, I set up a taskforce and the taskforce was supposed to enforce the policy and I actually made an announcement that I was going to be arresting any child seen hawking things during school hours. Not because I wanted to keep them, but my plan was to keep them till their parents came to exchange them with themselves.”
To guide against collection of illegal fees in public schools, he equally approved and provided N100,000 for principals and headteachers as an imprest account to enable them have the basic things required to run their schools.
Governor Otti commended Chief Obasanjo for standing by him from the inception of his aspiration to join politics till now.
Chief Obasanjo lauded the performance of Governor Otti, describing him as a leader who is living up to the expectations in the delivery of good governance.
He urged leaders at all levels to place the welfare of citizens at the heart of their leadership priorities.
A former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi appreciated Otti for his valuable achievements since he assumed office and urged Abia people to accord him maximum support to enable him transform the state to enviable heights.