A landmark joint venture project of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and the Abia State Government has been formally launched in the state.

This Nigeria’s first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod (Manu-Tech UniPod) was officially launched  at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf OlaTunji Alausa said the establishment of the Manu-Tech UniPod reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning higher education as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, research commercialisation, and job creation.

Describing it as a “strategic investment in Nigeria’s future,” the Vice President noted that Universities must evolve beyond traditional teaching and research to become hubs for enterprise development, technology transfer, and industrial competitiveness.

In his keynote address titled “Science Meets Enterprise,” Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, said the siting of the UniPod in Abia speaks to the institutional faith the UNDP and Federal Government have in the State’s potential as an engine of growth and economic prosperity in the region.

He noted that, the faith and efforts the partners have in Abia is yielding tangible results, adding that the event is a demonstration of that, and appreciated the siting of the project in Abia.

“The siting of the Manu-Tech UniPod in Abia speaks eloquently to the institutional faith UNDP and the Federal Government of Nigeria have reposed in our dear State and the potential it holds as an engine of growth and economic prosperity in the region.

The Governor who disclosed that his government supported the UniPod project because it aligns perfectly with the economic development outline of his administration, noted that,

“With the launch of the UniPod, a new interest in qualitative research will develop as scientists, students and everyone connected to the University ecosystem begin to look beyond random and hurried publication of academic papers just to score points for the next promotion cycle.

“The expectation is that research efforts henceforth will be directed at answering questions with practical, everyday applications” Gov. Otti stated.

The Governor thanked all the stakeholders and partners including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the UNDP for their efforts and willpower that gave birth to the transformational project.

“Over the last 3 years, we have found them to be reliable partners which explains our expanding body of joint ventures projects targeting entrepreneurship development, job creation and similar initiatives aimed at opening new layers of economic and social opportunities for our women and young people in particular,” Gov. Otti stated.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, described the launch as part of a broader national innovation ecosystem being developed across Nigeria through the UniPod initiative.

She explained that the programme aims to connect education, research, innovation, enterprise, and manufacturing, enabling Universities to become drivers of economic growth and global competitiveness.

Ms. Attafuah commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund, and the Abia State Government for their commitment to innovation-driven development. She particularly extolled Governor Alex Otti for his vision of transforming Abia into Nigeria’s leading hub for manufacturing and industrial innovation.

Earlier in her speech, the Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU, Professor Ursala Akanwa, described the commissioning as a defining moment in the University’s history.

She said the project represents the fulfilment of the institution’s mandate to deploy science, technology, and innovation in advancing agricultural development, manufacturing, and enterprise.

Prof. Akanwa expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, Federal Ministry of Education, UNDP, TETFund, and the Abia State Government for choosing MOUAU to host Nigeria’s first Manufacturing Tech UniPod.

The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders. The Manu-Tech UniPod is expected to provide students, researchers, and entrepreneurs with access to advanced manufacturing equipment, prototyping facilities, and industry mentorship to convert research ideas into market-ready products.

The State Governor Dr Alex Otti says his administration recognizes the fact that Information remains one of the catalyst’s for economic growth, cohesion and national transformation.

Dr Otti who stated this while declaring open the 13th edition of Media Institute Training with the theme, “Inspiring Nations Organizations and People Through Media in the Age of AI organized by the President , Vision Africa Radio Umuahia, Archbishop Sunday Onuoha, said that no society can make meaningful progress without a responsive and forward looking Media ecosystem.

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Information Prince Okay Kanu said that the present Administration is leveraging on Communication Tools to get Citizens informed on the visible transformation and rebuilding agenda in the state.
The Governor said that such training equip media practitioners with relevant skills knowledge and ethical formation in their profession and commended the President Vision Africa Radio Umuahia Archbishop Onuoha, for sustaining the Annual medal training for media practitioners within and outside the State .

In his remarks, the Convener of the Training Archbishop Sunday Onuoha said the media remains a powerful tool in shaping Society adding that the annual media training was designed not just to equip media practitioners with relevant skills, and knowledge but to also enhance their professional growth.
Archbishop Onuoha further encouraged the participants to take full advantage of the training to equip themselves with the modern techniques, and commended the Governor, for his Administration’s commitment towards the development of the State.

Speaking, the Lead Resource Personnel of the training program, Dr Vic Costello reminded media practitioners and the public that AI Technology can amplify knowledge but cannot replace wisdom, generate content and the consciousness that guides a responsive journalism, and enjoined them to make use of AI Technology Advancement wisely.
The training which had different sessions also attracted the presence of National Body of NBC and Media Practitioners across the State.

The Chief of Staff to Abia state Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba says Governor Alex Otti is intentional about transforming Abia from a production hub into a globally respected manufacturing brand.

Pastor Ajagba stated this shortly  during the flagging-off ceremony of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Competitiveness and Industrial Productivity Programme (MCIPP) Quality Assurance Assessors (QAA) Training Programme, held at the new main auditorium of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba.

While reiterating that Governor Otti’s initiative to rebrand and improve the quality of made in Aba products, Pastor Ajagba disclosed that the training of Quality Assurance Assessors represents a bold and deliberate step in the journey to reposition the State, especially Aba, as the hub of excellence in fashion, garment and leather production in the nation and across Africa.

He said that the state government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for enterprise growth through infrastructure development, policy support, access to finance and quality standardisation.

The Chief of Staff appreciated the partners and facilitators of the project, including Ethnocentrique Limited and MasterCard Foundation for their collaboration and technical expertise, and reminded the trainees that the success of the initiative depends largely on their commitment, discipline and integrity in applying what they would learn, while urging MSME operators to embrace the process.

In his speech, the MCIPP Team Lead, Adedapo Conde, while describing the Quality Assurance Assessors Program as a critical component of the MCIPP, designed to strengthen the skills ecosystem and support the transformation of Aba into a globally recognized skills delivery and export hub, explained that the event will also provide an opportunity for the MCIPP Team to engage directly with participants, offering deeper insights into the program and other strategic initiatives of the State Government aimed at supporting the growth and competitiveness of MSMEs.

Mr. Conde lauded Governor Otti for his visionary leadership and support, noting that Ethnocentrique Limited remains fully committed to partnering with the state government to realise its vision of positioning Aba as a globally recognised skills delivery and export hub.

The flag-off ceremony which attracted the presence of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Industry and SMEs, Mrs Chinwe Kalu Uba, Rector, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Dr Christopher Okoro, among other notable individuals featured the presentation of CAC and SMEDAN certificates to business owners.