The Abia State government has confirmed the receipt and processing of 17,000 applications for its ongoing online teacher recruitment initiative for both Basic and Secondary School levels.
Prince Okey Kanu, the state Commissioner for Information, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists after this week’s executive council meeting, which was chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
He explained that shortlisted candidates will first undergo a Computer-Based Test, followed by an oral interview for those who pass the test. The final recruitment process will be based on merit, with equal opportunities extended to applicants regardless of their state of origin.
“So far, about 17,000 applications have been received and processed, with more expected,” said Prince Kanu. “Shortlisted candidates will undergo a Computer-based test, and those who succeed will attend an oral interview. Only after these steps will they be finally recruited.”
In addition to the recruitment update, Prince Kanu reported on the successful conclusion of the Belgium Medical Mission, which carried out 114 major surgeries, including complex procedures that were all successful. The mission also treated an additional 915 patients with various medical conditions.
“The Belgium Medical Mission has ended with very impressive statistics. 114 major surgeries were conducted, some of them very complicated, but they all came out very successful,” Kanu remarked.
The medical mission has also led to the acquisition of new, sophisticated medical equipment for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), where the mission took place. Kanu emphasized that the Ministry of Health will now establish new standards for future medical outreach programs in the state.
The Commissioner also highlighted infrastructure improvements, revealing that the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection has awarded a contract for road maintenance across seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. The roads, spanning approximately 59 kilometers, are part of the Abia State Rural Access Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), funded by the World Bank.
“This is a World Bank-sponsored project, and contractors will soon be mobilized to site. This development will add a new dimension to the Governor Otti Administration’s Rural Infrastructure agenda,” Kanu noted.
Additionally, Kanu shared that a draft of the Abia State Social Protection Policy was reviewed last week at a workshop, in collaboration with key stakeholders, aimed at providing social security to the state’s citizens. The policy seeks to create a fair and functional social protection system to support the most vulnerable groups and address issues such as poverty and unemployment.
The briefing was attended by various key officials, including the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Blessing Felix, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kenechukwu Nwosu, and the CPS to the Governor, Mr. Njoku Ukoha Njoku.
