Otti's Steady Steps Towards Better Basic Education in Abia

A few days ago, the Otti administration opened its second smart school. This one is at Umuomaiukwu, a rural area in Isiala Ngwa North LGA.

Umuomaiukwu is one of three villages in the Agburuezeukwu Autonomous Community, part of the larger Oha Nsulu.

When people hear the term SMART SCHOOL, they have mixed feelings. Some believe the state has not done enough to implement the smart schools policy.

Those who think this way are not entirely wrong. Even the governor admitted at a recent event, “We have not done very well in the area of delivering the smart schools. But we will get it right.” This shows good leadership. It takes courage to admit there are problems and even more to fix them.

After the successful work on Port Harcourt Road, I have learned to trust this governor. The story of Port Harcourt Road was a major reason I decided to join the Otti political family.

Despite the slow start and criticism from the opposition, Otti remained focused. Instead of arguing on social media, he worked hard and delivered Port Harcourt Road in a way that surprised me.

Port Harcourt Road is a clear example of Otti’s courage in facing tough challenges. After the excellent job on Port Harcourt Road, I believe Otti will keep his promises on any project. This is just my opinion, and I stand by it.

This belief shapes how I view Otti and his project delivery style. I see a governor who is patient and committed to quality work. In over three years, has Otti commissioned any project that is below standard or has failed?

With this in mind, I arrived at Umuomaiukwu early to check out the smart school. Like the first one in Ubakala opened two weeks ago, Otti is not just building schools; he is bringing the future of basic education to us now.

I can confidently say that no primary school in this state, not even the best private ones, can compare to these smart schools. This is the truth.

True to the Otti standard, the school project is impressive. It’s almost hard to believe.

The Umuomaiukwu Smart School runs on solar power. It is fully solar-powered with modern learning tools you won't find in universities. The classrooms are digital, and each pupil has a tablet for learning. There is an ICT Lab filled with computers that the kids are already using well. These are rural kids!

Teachers also use these advanced tools for teaching.

One thing the Governor's Special Adviser on Basic and Secondary Education, Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu, showed me was the strong IT connection between the smart schools in Ubakala and Umuomaiukwu.

The school has a Sickbay that makes you want to lie down and rest, with nurses always available. There is a Girls Room for young girls facing puberty challenges.

The library is great. The restrooms are clean, with a steady water supply and staff to keep them tidy. There is a room for counseling children who may be struggling emotionally. An electronic clocking system tracks teacher attendance and helps manage the gadgets. It’s hard to believe this is a primary school. And it’s free.

The third smart school is almost ready in Umuogele, Aba South LGA, and will open soon. The governor plans to build 20 of these schools in the first phase, one for each local government and one for each senatorial district.

Otti has an eye for quality. He chooses the best people for projects. The contractor, BLUE GIRAFFE, understands the governor’s vision and is doing a great job.

With this, Otti has set a new standard for basic education in our state. This approach will gradually become the norm. If all goes well, Otti could be governor until 2031, and knowing his style, we will see many more of these schools by then.

Most importantly, before he leaves, people in Abia will be so used to this standard that they will only elect leaders who will continue this progress.

Believe it or not, the future of basic education is here.

OTTI NWERE FOUR MORE YEARS.

OKU GBAWA!