The member of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep Sam Onuigbo, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for signing into law three higher education bills for the South East.

Onuigbo extolled the President and Deputy Speaker for the momentous event, noting that by that singular legislative action, the two leaders have expanded access to tertiary institutions for young people in the zone.

President Tinubu recently signed into law the three bills establishing federal tertiary institutions in the South-East. Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu sponsored the two bills for the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, and Federal College of Education, Bende, Abia State, and strongly lobbied for assent for the Federal University, Okigwe, Imo State.

Onuigbo, a former two-term member of the House of Representatives, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists, declared: “This legislative achievement comes as a clear demonstration of Kalu’s visionary leadership, deep commitment to educational development, and dedication to the socio-economic advancement of the South East and the nation at large.

“An for the President, I doff my heart for the expeditious assent to these timeless and transformative bills. In fact, by this act, Mr. President, you have once again demonstrated your administration’s commitment to inclusive development, nation-building, and the empowerment of our youth through education.”

Onuigbo, who represented Ikwuano Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency in the Eighth and Ninth National Assembly, maintained that the three new institutions will not only expand access to quality education, but also catalyse the socioeconomic growth in Abia and Imo States.

“Without doubt, Kalu’s legislative foresight and effective advocacy continue to inspire hope for a better future and sustainable progress for the younger generation. His understanding and collaboration with the Presidency have continued to pave the way for generations of Nigerians to access quality education.

“It is by creating such equal opportunities and striving to build a brighter future for the next generation that the nation’s greatness is assured. And, for this, I and all well-meaning people from the South East are hugely grateful,” he stated.

Onuigbo, who is also the sponsor of Nigeria’s signature legislation, the Climate Change Act, generally known as Sam Onuigbo Climate Change Act 2021, noted that what President Tinubu and Kalu have done through the new institutions prepares a greater number of younger Nigerians for the rapidly expanding global knowledge economy.

The Chairman of Security and Climate Change Committee on the NEDC Governing Board, further observed that with more and more young people getting access to quality education, the nation would be assured of qualitative home-grown and adaptive solutions to various socio-economic challenges associated with climate change and food insecurity.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti says he will upscale the training of youths in various fashion skills to support the training and upskilling programme organized for young people by Ethnocentrique limited.

The Governor was speaking at the Enyimba International Stadium during the Fashion Games 2025, a Fashion Future Program put together by Ethnocentrique Limited as a graduation event for 2000 youths trained and upskilled in fashion skills and to showcase Africa’s creative excellency.

The Governor assured that his government is going to be partners in the project to ensure continuity.

“In principle, we have agreed to upscale this programme.

“So, the first 2,000 is gone, another 3,000 is coming, after the 3,000, we will be doing another 5,000.

“On behalf of the Government of Abia State, I would like to assure Ethnocentrique Limited and MasterCard Foundation who is their partners in the program, that from now onward, we are going to be partners in this project and that it would continue,” Gov. Otti stated.

He commended the Ethnocentrique Limited for coming up with the training and appreciated their partner,
the MasterCard Foundation for supporting the training programme initiated by Ethnocentrique Limited which has been running for 10 months in Aba.

Governor Otti stressed that the programme’s sustainability would not be in question, given the existing demand for skilled labour and fashion products from Abia, adding that Abia has a market within and outside the shores of Nigeria and West Africa.

He also lauded the inclusivity of the training programme, which recorded a significant number of women and persons living with disabilities among its beneficiaries.

Governor Otti who was conducted round the exhibition stands of the products made by the trainees, expressed excitement over the fashion show.

“There were no less than 70 percent of the 2,000 graduates today who are women, and of course, it is so inclusive that about 5 percent are people living with disabilities.

“There can’t be anything better than this. I want to thank you. I am so happy with the outcome of this entire process. I have also been told that 100 percent of the 2,000 trainees already have jobs.

“I hear about a 100 of you wanted to be employers of labour and that is very very good and I congratulate you.

That is the spirit of an average Abia person. We are born entrepreneurs. Poverty and unemployment have no business in Abia State, Gov. Otti stressed.

In her speech, the Country Director of the MasterCard Foundation, Mrs. Rosie Fynn, lauded the impact of the programme and said that, it is a powerful platform that goes beyond technical training to empower youths to become business owners and change-makers.

She commended the partnership existing between her Organization and Ethnocentrique.

Speaking also, the Chief Executive Officer of Ethnocentrique Limited, Mrs. Irunna Ejibe, said that the training was delivered through an apprenticeship model with trainees spending Tuesdays to Fridays learning hands-on skills from experienced mastercraft practitioners.

According to her, the goal of the program was to help young people reshape their mindset and equip them with the tools to succeed in today’s economy. She thanked all the stakeholders who supported the programme.

In their separate speeches, two participants, Mr. Joshua Nwabueze and Miss Ngozi Michael, said that the training programme had provided Abia youths with an opportunity to become self-reliant.

They said that they had acquired skills that would enable them contribute to the preservation of the fashion and cultural heritage of Abia State.

The event was well attended by senior Government appointees including the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, Hon. Commissioner for Trade, Mr. Chibueze Nwokocha, Honourable Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba, the member representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen, the Mayor of Aba South LGA, Mr. Obilor Anyanwu among others.

Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
Government House, Umuahia.

The Association of Professional Counselors in Nigeria APROCON has emphasized the need for skills up scaling in the profession of Guidance and Counseling in schools and tertiary institutions in the country.

This was said during a Capacity Building Workshop for School Counselors in Abia State organized by APROCON Abia State Chapter in collaboration with the Department of Guidance and Counseling, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU at the Anyim Pius Anyim Auditorium MOUAU.
Speaking at the event, the National President of APROCON, Dr. Osorochi Obi noted that a lot of schools do not have functional Guidance and Counseling programs which he said the workshop intends to correct.

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She commended the role of the Abia State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education through the Commissioner Elder Goodluck Ubochi in supporting the event which she says has made evident the state’s government’s commitment to fostering education in the state.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in the state represented by Elder Ukaegbu Ihuoma assured of the state’s commitment to ensuring that every Abia student gets the required counseling to see them through in life.

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The event saw the Vice Chancellor of MOUAU represented by the H.O.D Agric and Vocational Education, college of Education Prof. P.N. Ezema declare the event open, with the call on participants to pay keen attention to the Resource Persons as they dish out ideas and relevant skills in the Guidance and Counseling profession.

The event also witnessed resource persons including the Executive Secretary, Secondary Education Board SEMB represented by comrade Dan Onuoha, Director CCB Lady Rhoda Nwaedo, Deputy Dean College of Education Jane Okafor amongst others give their input to the program with the SEMB Executive Secretary describing the workshop as a timely focus call to renew commitment to equipping every school-based counselor with the freshest insights, techniques, and ethical foundations needed to meet current day educational and emotional challenges.