Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti OFR, says that his administration has restored the dignity of the teaching profession in the State, making teaching jobs more attractive than Civil Service jobs.

The State Chief Executive equally disclosed that 32000 people have applied in the second batch of the recruitment of an additional 4000 teachers in the State.

Recall that the State had earlier this year recruited 5,394 teachers in the first batch of the recruitment of teachers, all of whom have resumed work since September.

Governor Otti was speaking during the funeral service of Late Chief Emmanuel Enyidedeya Emeaso, (Olu Eji Eje MBA 1), who was laid to rest in his country home of Umuekegbe in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, after the funeral service conducted by the Eziama-Nvosi District, Aba North Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist.

The Governor drew the attention of the audience to the ongoing construction of new school buildings and renovation of existing ones at the venue of the burial, which are at different stages of completion, informing the people that the same work is happening in many schools across the State.

He noted that the Idea is to return the schools to what they used to be in the olden days, noting that “Teaching profession was a dignified profession long time ago when Late Chief Emeaso and the likes of his father were teachers.

“We have returned dignity to the teaching profession. You know that we recruited 5394 teachers who resumed work in September. We saw that the number was not enough based on the massive increase in enrolment because of the free and compulsory education that we declared.

“We made teaching even more attractive than Civil Service,” Governor Otti stated.

The number one citizen of the State disclosed that two weeks ago, when he checked the portal for the recruitment of an additional 4000 teachers, over 32000 people had applied.

He said that all the applicants will go through the processes involved in the recruitment, as everything would be on merit, as was done during the previous recruitment.

Talking about the late Chief Emeaso, Governor Otti, who described him as a contemporary of his late father, Pastor Lazarus N. Otti, who passed over 30 years ago, told the gathering that there was no need to mourn as the departed Chief Emeaso completed his work on earth, bowing out at the very ripe old age of 97.

In his condolence message to the family, addressed to Elder Obinna Emeaso, the Governor described the death of the late Chief Emeaso who breathed his last breath on the 8th of June 2025, as a huge loss to the family, the Church, and the entire Isiala Ngwa South.

“Chief Emeaso was a respected elder statesman, seasoned administrator, and visionary leader who learned early the virtues of discipline, hard work, and responsibility. Despite the limitations of his time, he embraced education with uncommon zeal. He distinguished himself as a man of principle whose leadership within the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), the National Republican Convention (NRC), and later the All People’s Party (APP) showed a rare blend of loyalty, wisdom, and courage. Honoured as Olu Eji Eje Mba 1, he served as Chairman of the Isiala-Nvosi Council of Chiefs, a role to which he brought dignity, fairness, and deep insight. His awards, recognitions, and numerous leadership roles across the Church, Community, and State bear witness to a life well lived, honourably and purposefully,” Governor Otti stated.

He urged the family to be comforted by the fact that he lived a long and fulfilled life, contributed immensely to the development of his community, and has gone to rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Governor Otti was accompanied to the burial by the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha, the Member representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Roland Chinwendu, the Commissioner representing Abia State in the Federal Character Commission (FCC), High Chief Victor Ikeji, Ph.D, the honourable Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engineer Ikechukwu Monday, the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Hon. Nnadozie Nwaogwugwu among others.

Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
December 23rd, 2025.