DEVELOPMENT
ABIA DEEPENS DIGITAL REVOLUTION AS GOV. ALEX OTTI LIFTS EMPLOYMENT EMBARGO, GRANTS AUTOMATIC CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO 50 OUTSTANDING TECHRISE COHORT 2 GRADUATES, REWARDS 849 YOUTH WITH CASH GIFTS, BROADBAND EXPANSION, AND A CLEAR PATH TO A SMART, PAPERLESS STATE
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has approved automatic employment for 50 outstanding graduates of the TechRise Cohort 2 programme, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, digital transformation, and merit-based opportunities in public service.
The Governor made the announcement on Saturday, December 20, at the JAAC Building Secretariat, Umuahia, during the graduation ceremony of 849 young Abians who successfully completed an intensive three-month training in 21st Century cutting-edge digital skills under the TechRise initiative.
Governor Otti explained that the automatic employment would be effected upon the fulfilment of all necessary documentation required for entry into the Abia State Civil Service, noting that the opportunity was strictly performance-driven.
“I am glad that the Head of Service is here. So, what this means is that I have lifted the embargo to employ 50 of them.
“And as soon as that exercise is completed, the embargo comes back. So, the documentation, you can bring to me on Monday for the 50 of them,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor disclosed that a total of 1,359 young people have now passed through the TechRise programme within the last 12 months, describing them as a critical pool of manpower needed to power Abia’s evolving digital economy and service delivery framework.
He emphasised that the TechRise initiative was deliberately designed to build an elite corps of highly competent IT solution providers who possess not just technical skills, but a deep understanding of the technology ecosystem required to drive the state’s collective aspirations.
“As you may be aware, we are currently repositioning the service delivery architecture in the State to run more efficiently on digital infrastructure super highway.
“The aim is to become less reliant on physical paper, provide round-the-clock services and ultimately improve turn around time,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti further revealed that his administration is making strategic investments in the expansion of broadband internet infrastructure across Abia State. He announced that the Umuahia Dedicated Internet Access and Wide Area Network programme has been completed and is fully operational across all government establishments within the state capital.
According to him, the rapid growth of Abia’s tech ecosystem continues to validate his belief that leadership is fundamentally about inspiring people to believe in the power and legitimacy of their dreams.
Gov. Otti added that, “Just last October, the Abia State DUCT Infrastructure Development Project was flagged off in Aba. Our goal is to make every community in Abia an economically functional space.
“As I mentioned, everything we do is connected to our grand governance objective, which is making Abia the home of bountiful reward for all hardworking individuals.
“Whether we are investing in roads, education, urban sanitation, security, or other front-lines of development, the target is always the same; make Abia the best and the truly number one,” Gov. Otti stated.
In a further demonstration of empathy and inclusive governance, Governor Otti directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure the provision of transportation allowances to enable each graduand return to their respective Local Government headquarters. He also approved a ₦50,000 Christmas package for each of the 849 graduands, while awarding ₦100,000 cash gifts to those who emerged as prize winners during the programme.
The Governor also directed a minute of silence in honour of a TechRise trainee, Mr. Princewill Ogbonnia, who passed away a few days before the graduation ceremony, and extended heartfelt condolences to his family.
In their goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu; the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. David Kalu; and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, commended Governor Alex Otti for his consistent investment in youth development and digital capacity building. They urged the graduands to remain committed to continuous learning and innovation.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka, praised the Governor for the initiative and lauded the strong collaboration between the State Government and Local Government Areas. She noted that the three-month programme went beyond technical skills, instilling leadership, discipline, and resilience in the participants.
Earlier, the CEO of Learn Factory and Coordinator of the TechRise programme, Mr. Chibueze Ukaegbu, appreciated Governor Otti for his unwavering commitment to ICT development in Abia State and encouraged the graduands to fully deploy the skills they had acquired.
Speaking on behalf of the graduands, Miss Chinwemeri Benjamin expressed gratitude to Governor Alex Otti for the opportunity to receive ICT training, laptops, and other forms of support. She said the programme has positioned them for economic independence and prayed for continued divine blessings upon the Governor.
The well-attended event, which drew top government officials from both state and local government levels, featured testimonials from TechRise Cohort 1 graduates.
Mr. Charles Ikechukwu showcased an application designed to convert waste to wealth, while Mr. Stephen Uche Onyegbulam revealed an app developed by his team to help stranded motorists locate the nearest mechanic. The ceremony climaxed with the formal presentation of certificates to the graduands, marking another significant milestone in Abia State’s 
journey toward a digitally driven future.