Abia Sets September 7 for Teachers’ Orientation, Says 77% of New Network Sites Are Working

Abia Sets September 7 for Teachers’ Orientation, Says 77% of New Network Sites Are Working

The Abia State Government has announced a five-day orientation programme for the newly recruited teachers in the state.

The programme will hold from September 7 to 12, 2026, at Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, and Federal Government Girls’ College, Umuahia.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced this on Monday, August 31, 2026, while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Prince Kanu said the new teachers would select their preferred training venue through the Ministry of Basic Education’s online portal.

He said the programme would help the teachers understand their duties as government workers and what is expected of them.

They would also learn about the education plans of the Alex Otti administration and better ways of teaching students.

The training will cover the use of digital tools, classroom technology, modern teaching methods, STEM education and vocational skills.

The Commissioner said professionals in the different areas would train the teachers.

Prince Kanu also said the state government was making progress in its partnership with MTN Nigeria Limited to improve network services across Abia.

He said 77 per cent of the newly installed network sites are now working, helping communities that previously had poor or no network service.

However, he expressed concern over the destruction of some network equipment and fibre cables, particularly in parts of Aba.

According to him, the vandalism had affected the government’s plan to achieve almost 100 per cent network coverage across the state.

Prince Kanu said MTN was working to repair the damaged facilities and restore full network coverage.

Some of the areas that have benefited from the new network facilities include Aba-Umuahia Road in Isiala Ngwa South, Umuako Health Centre in Isiala Ngwa North, St. Theresa’s School area in Umuahia South, Osundi-Ibunda-Abo Nkporo in Ohafia, Umuozo Community and Ikeduru Street in Aba, and Isiaku Primary Health Centre, Alayi.

The Commissioner appealed to residents and community leaders to protect the network facilities from vandalism.

He said the facilities were being provided to make communication easier for residents.

He urged communities to take care of the equipment and report anyone found damaging them.

Prince Kanu expressed hope that MTN would repair the damaged sites in the coming weeks and restore network coverage to 100 per cent.

He said improved network services would help businesses and contribute to economic growth in the state.

Speaking on road projects, Prince Kanu said road maintenance work was carried out at 43 locations across the state.

He said two projects had been completed, while no new project was added to the maintenance list.

The completed projects included the rainy-season maintenance of the 5.2-kilometre Umuehim-Okpuala Ngwa Road, which links parts of Isiala Ngwa North and South Local Government Areas.

The other was the 250-metre access road to the Chima Ubani Memorial Hospital at the Obingwa Local Government Headquarters.

The Commissioner said 26 road projects were still under contract, although work had slowed at many sites because of the heavy rains.

He said government officials were continuing to inspect the project sites to ensure that contractors followed the approved plans and standards.

Prince Kanu also said the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection was helping Abians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa to return home safely.

He said the ministry was working on another group of returnees and was also in contact with leaders of the Abia community in South Africa.

The aim, he said, was to identify and confirm other Abians who were stranded and needed assistance to return home.

Prince Kanu assured that the state government would continue to support Abians facing difficult situations in South Africa.

He said the government would continue to identify affected persons and make efforts to help them return safely to Nigeria and Abia State.

Speaking on the recently concluded 2026 Abia Women’s August Meeting, Prince Kanu described the programme as a new way of supporting women and developing communities across the 17 local government areas of the state.

He said the programme had gone beyond cultural and social activities to include business support, skills training, social support and assistance for women in need.

The Commissioner said the programme was in line with Governor Alex Otti’s plan to empower women and the First Lady’s efforts to bring women together and support their development.

He said the 2026 August Meeting recorded good results, especially in supporting widows and vulnerable women, encouraging small businesses and helping women become more financially independent.

Prince Kanu also disclosed that the state’s Sexual Assault Referral Centres recorded eight cases of sexual and gender-based violence during the period under review.

He said the victims were between four and 25 years old.

According to him, the cases involved alleged abuse by neighbours, landlords, family members and, in one case, an employee.

He said some of the young victims were allegedly abused more than once by the same person.

The Commissioner said the centres provided medical care, counselling and legal support to the victims.

He added that the centres were working with security agencies to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. 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, attended the press briefing.

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