NEWS
Governor Alex Otti Honours Abia’s Top JAMB Scorer, Michael Offorkalie, Pledges Full Support for Academic Excellence
The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to rewarding excellence and promoting meritocracy as he officially received Master Michael Offorkaile, the Abia-born student who scored 367 in the 2026 JAMB/UTME, emerging as the 5th highest scorer in Nigeria.
The remarkable reception took place on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Governor’s Office, where Master Offorkaile was accompanied by his parents and the management of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Oba, Anambra State.
Welcoming the young academic star, Governor Otti congratulated him on his exceptional achievement, describing the feat as a source of pride for Abia State. He stressed that the State Government deeply values excellence and remains committed to recognising and celebrating citizens who distinguish themselves through hard work and dedication.
According to the Governor:
“We don’t take this for granted. We really appreciate your visit. The whole idea is to celebrate our own when they do well. And as a government founded on meritocracy, we will not stop celebrating people who do well.
“We also want him to be a source of encouragement to those coming after him. And to know that when they do well, they will be celebrated.”
Governor Otti further demonstrated his administration’s commitment to educational development by directing that the details of the State Government’s support for the brilliant student’s university education be worked out by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
He also instructed the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Dodoh Okafor, to liaise with the student’s parents for further directives regarding the support package.
Encouraging the young scholar to remain focused, Governor Otti reminded him that his outstanding JAMB performance marked only the beginning of a greater academic journey and challenged him to strive for even greater accomplishments at the university.
In his words:
“We also want this to be an encouragement to him because the journey has just started. JAMB is the little roadblock you have to go through to now start a degree programme of four years.
“So, having been celebrated because you came first, we expect that you even do better as you go to the University. And as a State, we will support you. I believe that the details of the support will be worked out by the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
“But, I think what’s most important is for you to know that your State is behind you, recognises the feat that you have performed and encourages you to even do better.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, while presenting Master Offorkaile to the Governor, disclosed that Governor Otti had specifically directed her to locate the brilliant student and bring him to Abia to be formally honoured.
She explained that reaching the student was not an easy task because the school strictly adheres to its institutional regulations and restrictions, which she described as commendable. She congratulated both the student and the management of Grundtvig International Secondary School for nurturing such an outstanding academic talent.
Also speaking, the Principal of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Mr. Ige Bello, and the student’s father, Mr. Odinaka Offorkaile from Umunneochi Local Government Area, said the exceptional result did not come as a surprise considering the student’s consistent record of academic excellence.
They expressed profound appreciation to Governor Otti for recognising the young scholar and commended the Governor’s sustained investment in education and the quality of governance being witnessed across Abia State. They also offered prayers for God’s continued blessings upon the Governor.
Responding on behalf of his family, the visibly excited Master Michael Offorkaile thanked Governor Otti for the rare honour accorded to him, his parents, and his school.
He described the Governor as his role model and pledged to remain committed to academic excellence while inspiring other young people across Abia State and Nigeria.
According to him:
“I want to thank you for what you have done for me and my family, and also my school today. And I will also try my best to keep performing, keep inspiring, keep encouraging students from Abia and Nigeria.”
As a symbolic gesture to commemorate the visit, the Principal of Grundtvig International Secondary School presented the school’s yearbook to Governor Alex Otti.
The event was attended by members of the Abia State Executive Council, underscoring the importance the administration places on educational excellence and the celebration of e
xceptional achievements by Abia indigenes.