NEWS
Gov. Alex Otti Sets Up Five-Man Committee to Fast-Track Ngwa High School Projects, Pledges ₦10m for Students
…as He Moves to Address Infrastructure Gaps at Alma Mater, Assures Old Boys of Rev. Pollard Resource Centre Completion
The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has constituted a five-man committee to coordinate the completion of ongoing projects and address critical infrastructure deficits at Ngwa High School, Abayi, Aba, in a move aimed at restoring the institution’s facilities and strengthening its capacity to deliver quality education.
Governor Otti announced the committee on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during a grand civic reception organised in his honour by the Ngwa High School Old Boys Association (NHSOBA), under the theme, “From Foundation to Greatness: Celebrating Transparent and Quality Leadership.”
The development signals the governor’s renewed commitment to the development of his alma mater, with particular attention to completing the Rev. Pollard Resource Centre and addressing other outstanding infrastructure needs affecting teaching, learning and the overall educational experience of students.
The governor named Dr. Reginald Stanley as chairman of the committee, with himself, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu and two other members expected to work together to assess the school’s needs, review ongoing projects and determine the most effective approach to completing the outstanding works.
He assured members of the Old Boys Association that the Rev. Pollard Resource Centre, a major legacy project being undertaken by the association, would be completed, stressing the need for prompt action and a coordinated approach to addressing the institution’s challenges.
“We are going to meet within this week so that we can take the projects one after the other,” Governor Otti said.
The governor disclosed that his administration had already renovated three major buildings at the school but acknowledged that additional interventions were necessary to bring the institution’s infrastructure up to the desired standard.
Among the outstanding priorities to be examined by the committee are the fencing of the school premises, the paving of internal roads and the adequate stocking of libraries to improve students’ access to learning materials.
By establishing the committee, Governor Otti is seeking to provide a structured framework for identifying the school’s most pressing needs, prioritising interventions and ensuring that ongoing projects receive the attention required for their timely completion.
The governor, who described the reception as particularly meaningful because it was organised by members of his own community and school association, expressed appreciation to the Old Boys for the honour and commended their commitment to the continued development of the institution.
Speaking on his administration’s education policy, Governor Otti emphasised that access to quality basic education should not be determined by a child’s family background or economic circumstances. He maintained that the first responsibility of government was to guarantee every child the opportunity to acquire a sound educational foundation before distinguishing individual schools as centres of excellence.
The governor explained that his administration’s free and compulsory basic education policy, which covers schooling up to Junior Secondary School Three, was designed to eliminate financial barriers that prevent children from disadvantaged homes from accessing education.
According to him, the policy has contributed to a significant increase in school enrolment across the state, necessitating the recruitment of additional teachers to accommodate the growing number of pupils and students in public schools.
Governor Otti also highlighted the scholarship programme of the Alex Otti Foundation, which supports academically gifted students from vulnerable backgrounds, as another demonstration of the importance his administration places on expanding educational opportunities. He argued that a fair society must create an environment in which children from both privileged and disadvantaged families can aspire to achieve their full potential.
“We need to start from democratisation of rights for everyone.
“Whether your father is rich or poor.
“Whether you are the son of a driver or you are the son of a big man, you should be entitled to have an opportunity to go to school.
“If it is about money, my father didn’t have money. But if he had the opportunity to become who I am today, then the son of a driver, the son of my driver should have the same opportunity to become somebody like me tomorrow. And that is what governance is about,” he stated.
The governor’s remarks underscored his position that education should serve as a vehicle for social mobility, enabling children to rise above economic limitations and contribute meaningfully to society.
In a further demonstration of support for students, Otti announced a ₦10 million contribution to assist learners, while also matching a ₦1 million donation made by Professor Jasper Jumbo for the benefit of vulnerable pupils.
The financial commitments are expected to support efforts to improve students’ welfare and ensure that children facing economic difficulties are not deprived of educational opportunities.
Governor Otti thanked the Old Boys Association for its continued investment in the school and expressed confidence that the collective efforts of the alumni, government and other stakeholders would produce lasting benefits for present and future generations.
In their goodwill messages, Chief Chibuike Achigbu, the Bishop of Aba Ngwa North Diocese, Rt. Rev. Nathan Kalu, and Professor Jasper Jumbo spoke glowingly about the governor’s academic record, describing him as an outstanding student whose brilliance was evident during his secondary school years. They expressed pride in his achievements and commended his administration for demonstrating that transparency, accountability and discipline could be applied to public governance.
The speakers also highlighted the significance of the governor’s return to the institution, noting that his achievements had brought renewed attention to the school and its role in nurturing individuals who have gone on to make contributions in different sectors.
Earlier, the President-General of the Ngwa High School Old Boys Association, Rt. Rev. Christian C. Ugwuzor, welcomed the governor back to his alma mater, describing the visit as the return of a son to the institution that helped shape his formative years.
Ugwuzor praised Otti’s performance in office, citing road infrastructure development, improvements in the health and education sectors, and greater discipline in public service as areas in which the governor had demonstrated leadership.
He said the governor’s approach to governance reflected the values of excellence, integrity and discipline associated with Ngwa High School, expressing pride in the accomplishments of one of the institution’s distinguished former students.
The NHSOBA President-General further disclosed that the association had invested more than ₦50 million in the construction of the Rev. Pollard Resource Centre, a project conceived to provide modern educational and administrative facilities for the school.
When completed, the centre is expected to accommodate a modern electronic library, an information and communications technology hub, a computer-based test centre, conference halls, a career counselling unit and the school’s archives.
The proposed facilities are intended to strengthen digital learning, improve access to educational resources, support career guidance and provide a modern environment for academic and institutional activities.
Ugwuzor appealed to Governor Otti to support the completion of the project, describing it as a fitting legacy in honour of the school’s founding principal and a valuable investment in the future of the institution.
The association’s appeal aligns with the governor’s announcement of the five-man committee, which is expected to examine the outstanding requirements and determine how best to move the project and other priority interventions towards completion.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Dr. Reginald Stanley, commended Governor Otti for his accomplishments in public office, describing his transition from a successful banking career to the governorship as evidence of discipline, determination and a commitment to public service.
Stanley, who drew on more than four decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, said vision, sound judgement and long-term planning were essential ingredients for sustainable development. He noted that these qualities were reflected in the governor’s development agenda, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, transportation and public-sector reforms.
The chairman also expressed support for Governor Otti’s re-election bid, arguing that the growing calls for a second term reflected public recognition of his administration’s performance. He urged the Abia State Government, the Anglican Church and the Old Boys Association to strengthen their collaboration towards restoring and modernising Ngwa High School.
Among the areas he identified for attention were improved classrooms, functional laboratories, digital learning facilities and other essential infrastructure required to create a more conducive learning environment.
Stanley further called on alumni to contribute their experience, professional expertise and resources towards preserving the institution’s legacy, stressing that investments in education ultimately benefit society by preparing future generations for leadership and productive service.
Earlier, the chairman of the planning committee, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, expressed pride and nostalgia as members of the association gathered to celebrate the governor, an alumnus of the 1983 set.
Nwachukwu described Governor Otti as one of the school’s outstanding products, noting that his achievements reflected the ideals and values for which Ngwa High School is known.
The reception therefore served not only as an occasion to honour the governor but also as an opportunity to mobilise renewed support for the development of the institution that helped shape his early life.
With the constitution of the five-man committee, the ₦10 million contribution for students and the commitment to complete the Rev. Pollard Resource Centre, attention will now turn to how the government, alumni and other stakeholders can translate their pledges into tangible improvements at Ngwa High School.
For the institution, the ultimate measure of the gathering will be the successful completion of priority projects, improved learning facilities and expanded opportunities for students to receive the quality educ
ation necessary to compete and succeed in an increasingly knowledge-driven world.