Earlier today, we participated in the Children's Day festivities at the Umuahia Township Stadium, alongside pupils and students from various educational institutions.

Witnessing the resilience of these children as they persevered through the rain to partake in their scheduled events was truly inspiring. I felt emotional observing the inclusion of our physically and mentally challenged pupils in the parade, a testament to the inclusive spirit of our community. However, it has come to my attention that certain institutions catering to visually impaired and mentally challenged pupils are in dire need of support in critical areas.
In response to this, I have directed the Commissioner for Education to oversee the establishment of a dedicated secondary school for the visually impaired and mentally challenged. This institution will be designed to provide a tailored curriculum that addresses the unique educational requirements of children with special needs.
Our commitment to fostering an environment conducive to high-quality and comprehensive education is unwavering. As someone who has personally benefited from the transformative power of education, I am determined to ensure that our children not only succeed but also ascend to become the leaders of tomorrow. To this end, we have allocated 20% of our state's annual budget to the educational sector.
I assure all our children that under our administration, the educational landscape in Abia—from primary to tertiary levels—will undergo a significant transformation to align with international standards of excellence, thereby nurturing many of our pupils and students into global achievers.

Gov Alex C Otti