ASUBEB Reaffirms Commitment to Holistic Education, Youth Development

The Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) has reaffirmed its commitment to holistic education and youth development.

ASUBEB Chairman, Lady Ezihe Lydia Onuoha, stated this during the 2022–2023 Basic Education School Sports (BESS) State Finals, held this 2025 on Thursday, at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

The event was organised by ASUBEB in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) on the theme: “Building Champions Through Grassroots Sports.”

Lady Onuoha described school sports as a deliberate investment in the future of Abia State.and a strategic platform for nurturing talents.

She emphasised the central role of sports in quality education, noting that athletics go beyond extracurricular engagement.

“Sports are not an optional addition to education; they are an essential component of a quality learning experience.

“Today’s event provides a powerful platform for identifying future champions while instilling values of perseverance, fairness, leadership, discipline, and excellence in our young learners,” she said.

The ASUBEB Chairman explained that sports development at the basic education level strengthens holistic learning by combining physical fitness with character building, teamwork, and healthy competition.

She stated that the BESS initiative aligns seamlessly with the AbiaFIRST Agenda of Governor Alex Otti, whose administration has repositioned education as a critical pillar of sustainable development in the state.

“School sports represent a deliberate investment in the future of Abia State. They promote unity, discipline, talent discovery, and the balanced development of children at the foundational stage of learning.

“Under Governor Otti’s visionary leadership, education is about producing well-rounded, confident, skilled, and competitive citizens.

“BESS perfectly complements this education transformation drive by promoting inclusiveness, innovation, and holistic child development through grassroots sports,” she noted.

Lady Onuoha reassured ASUBEB’s commitment to revitalising school sports as a tool for early talent discovery, youth engagement, and social inclusion.

She stressed that the Board is repositioning basic education to produce learners who are mentally sound, physically fit, socially responsible, and globally competitive.

She commended UBEC for its sustained support and partnership, and appreciated ASUBEB Board members, Education Secretaries, Head Teachers, coaches, organisers, and the Director of Special Programmes, ASUBEB, for their dedication to the success of the programme.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, represented by the Director of Basic Education, Mr Sampson Nnaemeka, applauded Governor Alex Otti for his education reforms and commended Lady Onuoha for her outstanding leadership and performance.

He urged participating students to compete with integrity and embrace sportsmanship, saying.

“In sports, as in life, every effort counts, and every participant is a champion in the making. Let your talents shine, let your discipline speak, and let your conduct reflect the values of a new Abia—focused, confident, and forward-looking.”

Earlier, the Director of Special Programmes, ASUBEB, Mrs Oyiri Sunday Udeogu, appreciated the education-friendly Governor, Dr Alex Otti, for facilitating the payment of the UBE Matching Grant, which made the event possible.

She also thanked the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, and the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB for their consistent support and promotion of sports within the basic education system.

Mrs Udeogu explained that the Basic Education School Sports Games are designed to expose learners to structured physical activities that foster teamwork, discipline, character development, life skills, and physical and mental well-being, while providing an enabling platform for early talent discovery.

She noted that the BESS programme commenced in June with inter-house, inter-school, local government, and zonal competitions, culminating in the state finals.

She noted that the BESS programme commenced in June with inter-house, inter-school, local government, and zonal competitions, culminating in the state finals.

She encouraged participants to adhere strictly to the rules of the games, respect officials and opponents, remain humble in victory, resilient in defeat, and demonstrate exemplary conduct throughout the competitions.

The event featured competitions in football, athletics, cultural dance, a match past parade, and other sporting activities. Medals and awards were presented to first, second, and third place winners, as well as best players and best teams across all competitions.