Abia State Postpones School Resumption Date
The Abia State government has confirmed that schools across the state will resume for the 2024/2025 academic year on Wednesday, September 23. This adjustment follows the postponement from the originally scheduled date of Monday, September 16, due to the national public holiday.
Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, made this announcement during a press briefing on Monday, following the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti. Kanu explained that the delay in the resumption date was necessary to accommodate the holiday.
In preparation for the new academic year, the state will also restart its teachers' training program from September 11 to 20, 2024. This training aims to complete the development of 1,800 master trainers, a crucial component of the state’s educational reforms. The program, which will be conducted in Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia, follows the training of 200 teachers in the previous week. This initiative is part of the state government’s broader strategy to enhance the education sector.
Additionally, Kanu revealed that Abia State has been selected to participate in an international medical symposium in Ghana, titled ‘Human Capital Opportunity for Prosperity and Equity’. This event, organized by the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria, aims to improve healthcare delivery. Abia's inclusion in the symposium is a recognition of the state’s ongoing health sector reforms.
The state’s Light-Up Abia initiative will also expand, with plans to extend the project beyond Umuahia, Aba, and Ohafia. Currently, 4,346 solar panels have been installed across 86 locations to improve lighting, comfort, and security. The initiative aims to eventually illuminate all areas of the state.
In energy sector news, Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, announced that the Abia Electricity Bill has passed its second reading in the State House of Assembly. The bill is in response to the Electricity Act of 2023, which grants states the authority to manage their electricity markets. Once enacted, the bill will establish the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority and the Abia State Rural Electrification Agency. It will also provide for infrastructure and subsidies, with considerations for renewable and hydrogen energy sources.
