Gov. Otti Inaugurates Board of Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has inaugurated the Board of the Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre, marking a major step toward advancing technical education and innovation in the state.

The inauguration, which took place on Monday at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Umuahia, came at the end of the weekly State Executive Council meeting.

Governor Otti appointed renowned technologist, Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, as Chairman of the board. Other members include Engr. Cletus Ogbonnaya Ekpo (Vice Chairman), Engr. Peter Ukonu (Director General), Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, Mr. Chinenye Mba Uzoukwu, Mr. Fidelis Nweze, Dr. Christopher Kalu Okoro, Mr. Chukwudi Ogbonna, and Dr. Mrs. Rita Ndidi Amuchienwa.

While inaugurating the board, Governor Otti expressed gratitude to the members for accepting to serve, describing them as some of the best minds in the technology ecosystem.

“These are the best of the best that you can find in the technology space. The chairman of this centre has added so much to knowledge out of the U.S. and is doing our people proud. The Director General is an inventor himself. We poached him from his comfort zone in the UK, and we thank him for accepting to come back and serve his people,” the Governor stated.

Governor Otti emphasized that the appointment was based on merit and competence, not geography, stressing that the centre is designed to serve not only Abia State but the entire Southeast.

“This is service to fatherland, service to your State, and service to Alaigbo. Abia State is too small for our vision. We want to create an enabling environment for everyone to contribute to the development of our people. That’s why we didn’t restrict membership to only Abians,” he explained.

The Governor expressed confidence that the board will play a crucial role in driving Abia’s ongoing technological and economic transformation.

Responding, the board chairman, Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, thanked the Governor for the trust reposed in them, describing the initiative as a bold step toward economic renewal through technology.

“We are called to build the technology capability of Abia. Technology is a critical enabler of economic development. Abia wants to rise to the mountaintop because technology will unlock prosperity. We will deploy our best abilities so that from Isukwaka to every corner of Abia, people will feel the impact of this vision,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr. Mrs. Rita Ndidi Amuchienwa, one of the board members, commended Governor Otti for the initiative and promised the team’s commitment to delivering on its mandate.

“I’ve heard so much about your leadership and the transformation in Abia. I am privileged to be part of this team and I promise to put in my best to make the Abia youth better and productive,” she affirmed.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, and members of the State Executive Council.

Governor Otti’s administration has consistently prioritized education, innovation, and youth empowerment, positioning Abia State as a hub for technological advancement in Nigeria.