Abia’s Free Education Rendering Private Schools Unattractive – Otti

Abia State Governor Alex Otti says that the free and compulsory education introduced in the State for basic and junior secondary has rendered private schools unattractive.

Otti made the assertion during the dedication of little master Divine Kelechi Uzoma, son of Hon. Promise Uzoma Okoro (PUO), held at Power World Ministries Int’l, Umuahia.

The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, noted that the policy has brought a lot of relief for families, adding that enrollment in public schools have tremendously increased.

He urged parents to leverage the opportunity to send their children to school as poverty would no longer be admitted as an excuse for not doing so.

“You can see that the school enrollment in the state has increased tremendously. A lot of people now flood the schools, but our private schools are gradually becoming unattractive to parents. People are leaving in droves to the public schools,” Otti stated.

“And that underscores the tremendous transformation that has happened in that space. You know, a situation whereby people were paying fees before, now things are difficult, but today parents don’t pay fees anymore.

“So it’s a great thing happening in our state that there’s free education up to that level, nobody will say today that they didn’t go to school because their parents didn’t have money.

“What has happened is that our government has made it possible for every child in Abia state to be trained in school from primary school to junior secondary school. I mean, that basic education is very, very necessary to prepare everybody in life, no matter what you want to do.”

The Governor congratulate Hon. Promise Uzoma Okoro and his family on the safe delivery of the baby and urged them to train him in the way of the Lord, as well as continue their trust in God’s divine guidance and support.

“With God on their side, they’ll be able to see their children through, particularly the one that was dedicated today. They have to be good Christians. They have to be prayerful. They have to trust God. If they trust God and train their children in the way they should train them, all will be well, ” Gov. Otti asserted.

In his message earlier, the Lead Pastor of Power World Ministries Int’l, Umuahia, Dr Uche Ume urged the couple to bring up their children through scriptural principles.

Speaking on the topic: “Power of Principles,” Pastor Uche Ume explained that with principles, life becomes much easier as it is something that is applicable anywhere.

Dr. Chima Anyaso, Ofuji

Also speaking, a family friend of the couple, Dr Chima Anyaso, while congratulating them, charged the parents to live up to expectations and be shining examples to their children whom he said are looking up to them.

“The message I have for the parents that have dedicated their children today is that they should live up to expectations and be a shining example to their children because they are the ones that the children are looking up to,” Dr Anyaso stated.

Responding, the father of the dedicated child and Chairman of Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, (ONPAN) Mr. Promise Uzoma Okoro (PUO), pledged to train his new child, with the fear of the Lord, and to ensure he and his siblings grow in His ways as well as meet up with other responsibilities.

“So, I assure the Lord that I will train them to the best of my experience and knowledge,”

Hon. Okoro thanked God for safe delivery of the new baby and Governor Alex Otti for identifying with his family, noting that the Governor was the first to send a message of congratulations and gift at the birth of the child.

He expressed appreciation to other dignitaries from all walks of life, the Lead Pastor Uche Ume and the entire Power World Ministries Int’l Umuahia and well wishers for their presence and gifts.