The Abia Government, on Tuesday, commenced a five-day capacity-building workshop for the 4,074 newly recruited teachers.
Gov. Alex Otti declared the workshop open in Umuahia, describing teachers as the greatest beneficiaries of reforms in the education sector.
Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Goodluck Ubochi, said the training was a sign of confidence in the state government’s ability to drive change.
He described the recruitment as a product of the “New Abia” spirit of transparency and merit.
“We recruited 4,074 of the 21,000, who succeeded without knowing anybody,” he said.
Otti warned the new teachers to guard their jobs jealously because their names were still ‘’written in pencil’’.
“If you (new recruited teachers) do well, the environment will notice and acknowledge you,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Chigozie Ekeoma, said the exercise was not a routine orientation but a milestone for the state’s education system.
She said that infrastructure alone could not transform schools without quality teachers.
“You are the operational foundation of this reform,” she said.
Ekeoma charged them to demonstrate professional dedication, punctuality and commitment to continuous improvement.
She assured them that the ministry would provide the tools, mentorship and enabling environment needed for their success.
The Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) Chairman, Mrs Lydia Onuoha, said they emerged from a rigorous process involving Computer-Based-Tests and interviews among 36,000 applicants.
She described teaching profession as an elevated and divine calling that must be taken seriously.
She advised the participants to “dress like teachers”, saying, “Teaching is a noble profession.”
Onuoha assured the teachers that ASUBEB was ready to take them to the next level in basic education and advised them to be attentive, take notes and maximise the five-day training.
In a goodwill message, the Director of Secondary Education Management Board, Mrs Christiana Eze, thanked the governor for the opportunity provided to the teachers.
She promised the governor that his effort would not be in vain, saying they would groom the teachers under their care.
On his part, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Friday Madu, welcomed the new teachers to the profession.
Madu said that over 5,000 teachers were recruited in 2025 and over 4,000 this year by Otti’s administration.
The NUT boss assured the teachers of the support of both the union and Association of Principals and Head Teachers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five-day workshop would run until September 12. (NAN)
