Saturday Southerner
Another View
The Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, Abia state capital was filled to capacity last Saturday, October 24, 2026, by Government officials led by His Excellency, Gov. Alex Chioma Otti, families, relatives, friends, well-wishers, teachers, students and residents of the state gathered to rejoice, show appreciation and formally welcomed the victorious 5-member contingent lads who did Abia, Nigeria and indeed Africa proud in an International schools Debate Championship in far away Doha, Qatar.
The emotions were high, there was free flow of joyful tears, laughter, shouts and claps for the 5-member contingent throughout the duration of the ceremony. These wonder kids and parents may not have expected that a day like this would come when they would be the centre of attraction.
The young lads did Nigeria proud when in the world competition at Doha, Qatar, they clinched the best title for international school debate team, overall best team in the junior category, best debater and best leadership awards.
They were also ranked among the top ten speakers in the tournament which featured about 84 countries.
No doubt, these Abia born Nigerian students have shown the world that, something positive can come out of Nigeria if only our political leaders can get more focused in investing and organizing the people, building infrastructure and supporting development oriented goals.
The Green-White-Green flag of Nigeria flew high with pride in Doha, Qatar because of these Wonder Kids. Nigeria, no doubt has potentials. It is only left for the leaders to fully harness them.
These kids have through the competition lifted the educational standard of Nigeria higher even when we are weeping at its state of neglect by the Federal Government of Nigeria and in some states.
The beauty and interesting thing about these children is that, they all attend public schools in Abia state. The teachers who taught, groomed and watched over them are in public schools based in Abia. Of course, great Nigerians of some years ago and this present time went through public schools.
In the 1950s up until the 1980s, there were standard public schools that produced best brains in this country. The likes of Chinua Achebe, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Wole Soyinka, Chike Obi are few examples of great Nigerians who received their training from public schools. The current governor of the state, Gov. Alex Otti attended public schools from his elementary to tertiary and passed out in flying colours.
In Abia state, governments in the past neglected education. They treated education inconsequentially. School facilities were broken down; there was no serious funding, teachers were paid peanuts and owed for several months. No motivation to encourage or get them committed to their duties.
But Otti has changed the narrative since he became the governor of the state. He has engaged thousands of trained teachers for every public school in Abia. He also refurbished some of the schools and still renovating others in the state to meet acceptable standard.
Education is the bedrock of a country’s development. It is that reason governments everywhere in the world are advised and motivated to invest strongly in education. Nigeria for no excuse. It should not be an exception.
It is education that drives the world’s economy, politics, trade, agriculture, science, religion, technology, sports, culture, and the rest. Without education, there cannot be advancement in any field. It is education that has led to research and discoveries that brought solutions to the world’s socio-economic and political hiccups.
Governments everywhere must create special intervention funds and back-up funding for the development of education in the society to meet the challenges of the modern world. No society can grow, advance or develop without solid foundation in education.
In a highly educated environment, you find reduction in violence. Enlightened minds usually tend to be civilized in approaching issues rather than engaging in violent activities.
There is also less criminality in an environment with high literacy record. People who are educated find decent things to do instead of getting involved in criminalities.
Education helps to redefine a man. It builds peace, unity and progress among people. Education helps to introduce good governance.
With education there will be less dependent on government for jobs. Men and women who are educated find it difficult to depend on government for jobs as they use their acquired education and skills to create jobs for themselves and other unemployed members of the society.
Any State that invests heavily in education reaps the gains bountifully. The commitment, interest and support Gov. Alex Chioma Otti have given the education sector in the state since 2023 when he assumed leadership are yielding joyful fruits as in the case of these Qatar Wonder Kids.
It is a right path that, the Abia state governor has chosen by recognizing, investing and giving every support for the improvement of the standard of education in the state.
In Abia state, teachers of government owned schools monthly pay and allowances have increased and are still being adjusted higher. This is to appreciate and encourage the enormous sacrifices the teachers are making in the development of these children.
Teaching is one of the most difficult but honourable professions in the world. It is tasking and energy sapping.
Teaching is moulding the present and future builders of the society. Certainly, no society can do without education.
Gov. Alex Otti has so far shown he is education friendly. He is prepared with his actions to keep the state on top of anything that has to do with education.
Not long ago, during Teachers’ Day celebration at Umuahia, he made a donation of #1 billion to the teachers in public schools in the state. He also promised to sponsor some very distinguished teachers across the state to travel to foreign schools for exposure and experience.
This is very thoughtful and commendable and, I have no doubt, he will accomplish it possibly before the end of his first tenure.
One won’t forget that, at the beginning of his tenure, he visited the School of the Blind located in Afara-Ukwu, Ibeku-Umuahia, and promised to give some support and rebuild the dilapidated fence and other structures in the school. It didn’t take him six months to fulfill that promise. Today, the school is looking well fenced and secured for the benefit of the physically challenged children and teachers.
Abia state government under Gov. Otti has dedicated 20% of the state’s annual budget for education. This is quite encouraging and deserves mention. It is of immense advantage to the children, parents, the state and entire humanity. The governor by this action and support has shown his commitment to taking education in the state to greater heights.
This transformation of the education sector in the state must be sustained by the Governor, ministries in charge of education, LGs, and all members of his cabinet. It is to the benefit of the children, God’s Own State and adoration to God Almighty.
The victory of this 5-member contingent in the World Debate has also challenged Abia children and teachers to take advantage of the opportunities provided by Gov. Alex Otti. He has so far, in just three years of his administration lifted Abia schools from the doldrums.
The governor has given enough support to the schools in Abia state to enable students take advantage of the improved system, trained teachers and rise to greater heights.
Yet, we won’t fail to urge Gov. Alex Otti not to relent but do more in the advancement of education in the state. Any government that gets education right has solved a larger percentage of society’s social ills.
The serious moral decadence among our youths in the country today can be traced to the tampering or abandonment of education in Nigeria. The country has to go back to the good old days of investing, organizing and assuring the high standard of education is maintained and upgraded.
Lastly, the Federal Government of Nigeria has a duty to recognize and appreciate these award winning kids. These children represented and made the country proud. The news of their triumph is everywhere. They must be encouraged by the Federal Government of Nigeria. To do greater exploits.
