OTTI INAGURUATES ANOTHER SMART SCHOOL IN ABIA OTHERS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Governor Alex Otti of Abia state says laying a good educational foundation with Smart school for children remains the veritable tool to prepare them for a greater future in the contemporary digital society.

Governor Otti stated this during the inauguration of Umuomaiukwu Smart School in Isiala Ngwa North Local area of the state.

The Governor explained that the initiative is aimed at transforming the learning experience with technology-driven education capable of nurturing innovation, creativity and critical thinking amongst children.

Governor Otti who described the education sector as a foremost industry in the state because of its capacity to unlock human potential and drive sustainable development, said his administration would continued to prioritise strategic investments in education and other critical sectors of the economy.

He advised the pupils to make judicious use of the opportunities created by the government through free education and world-class learning facilities to equip themselves for the future and promised access to scholarships and other incentives to outstanding pupils.

The Governor cautioned against vandalism of public infrastructure and called on the host community to take ownership of the project

In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour at the programme and a Poet, Professor Okey Ndibe, who commended Otti’s investment in education described the Smart School initiative as a foundation for sustainable development in a knowledge-driven economy.

Earlier, Abia State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Goodluck Ubochi, reaffirmed the state government’s committment to transforming the education sector through sustained investment in Smart Schools and technology-driven learning to equip children with skills for the future.

Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Caleb Ajagba, described the project as another demonstration of the administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and delivering impactful development across the state.

The Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs Lydia Onuoha, said the Smart School initiative was designed to produce globally competitive pupils through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-based education.

The Managing Director of Blue Giraffe Development Limited, Mrs Orieji Okwara-Emele, described the school as a gateway to opportunities that would equip children with digital knowledge and globally competitive skills.

She disclosed that the Umuomaiukwu Smart School, the second established by the state government, is equipped with AI-enabled learning facilities, STEM laboratories, an ICT centre, interactive classrooms, CCTV surveillance and other modern learning infrastructure, adding that plans were underway to establish 200 Smart Classrooms across the state’s 17 local government areas.

The Umuomaiukwu Smart School in Isiala Ngwa North is the second out of the 20 Smart Schools across the 17 local government areas in the state to be inaguruated by Governor Alex Otti.