The Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti OFR, has directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education and the Managing Director of the Greater Aba Development Authority to immediately commence a search for a temporary site for the location of a study centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Aba.
This directive is to take effect pending the building of a more permanent and befitting centre in the commercial city.
The Governor gave the directive following a formal request by the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, who sought policy direction on citing a study centre of the university in Aba.
Dr. Otti emphasized that Aba, being a major commercial hub in the state, cannot afford the luxury of lagging behind without a NOUN centre.
He noted: “Open and distance learning over the years has transformed using technology. Applications like Google Meet, Zoom, etc., have facilitated meetings and the transfer of knowledge. In view of the role NOUN is playing in advancing education, it’s a no-brainer that Aba has to get a study centre.”
The Governor further assured the university of his administration’s commitment to educational development.
“As a responsible government, the state is committed to educational development through the hiring, training, and retraining of teachers. We will provide all the support you need for the actualisation of a centre in Aba,” he stated.
In addition, Dr. Otti directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Uche, to assess the Umuahia Study Centre of the university and identify how the government can assist in improving facilities for a better learning environment.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, who was on a courtesy visit to the Governor at his country home in Umuehim, Nvosi, Isiala-Ngwa South LGA, Abia State, explained that NOUN prides itself not only in education through open and distance learning but also in access and inclusiveness in all its activities by carrying everyone along.
“The study centres are instruments of access, and Aba being one of the largest cities in the country cannot be denied such access to education,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.
Prof. Uduma underscored the importance of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) globally, noting that it has necessitated other universities in the country currently operating a dual mode of education delivery.
He also thanked the Governor for his hospitality and for agreeing to host him and the university management despite the demands of his office.
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