In a renewed effort to strengthen security awareness and promote a safe learning environment across Abia State, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has launched a comprehensive statewide School Safety Sensitization and Reach-Out Programme in partnership with the Civil Defence Officers’ Wives Association (CDOWA), Abia State Chapter.

The initiative, which commenced on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, is designed to educate students, school administrators, and teachers on emerging security threats, personal safety measures, self-defence, and the dangers associated with illicit drug trafficking and abuse. The programme also includes the donation of educational materials to students and sanitary products for the girl child as part of efforts to enhance learning and promote the welfare of schoolchildren.
Launching the campaign at the Command Headquarters in Umuahia, the State Commandant, CC Chukwuemeka N. Odimba, FCIA, KSM, JP, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at building a generation of security-conscious citizens.

According to him, the programme is intended to instill a culture of vigilance and responsibility among young people while equipping teachers with the knowledge needed to respond effectively to security challenges within school environments.
“The School Safety Sensitization Exercise is a carefully designed programme to build a culture of security consciousness and alertness among our children and the teaching staff. We believe that if we get it right at this level, our society will undoubtedly become safer,” the Commandant stated.
Commandant Odimba explained that the sensitization campaign represents the second phase of the Command’s Safe School initiative, following the successful completion of a comprehensive security assessment tour of unity schools, colleges of education, polytechnics, and universities across Abia State.

He noted that findings from the assessment informed the need to embark on an extensive reorientation and awareness campaign aimed at preventing security breaches and creating peaceful learning environments throughout the state.
“This is the next stage of the Command’s comprehensive plan to safeguard our children, protect teachers, and ensure that schools remain secure centres for learning and development,” he added.
The State Commandant commended the Civil Defence Officers’ Wives Association (CDOWA), Abia State Chapter, for its unwavering support and commitment to humanitarian services. He particularly praised the State Chairperson, Lady Ijeoma Odimba, who also serves as the wife of the State Commandant, for championing programmes that promote peace, education, and the welfare of vulnerable children.

He highlighted the association’s numerous interventions, including security sensitization workshops, provision of educational materials, scholarships for indigent students, and distribution of sanitary products to female students, describing the initiatives as critical investments in the future of the state.
As part of the outreach, the team visited Comprehensive Secondary School, Umuda, where the Head of the Safe School Unit, CSC Umezurike Chinyere, educated students on personal security awareness, self-defence techniques, and the importance of remaining vigilant against criminal activities.
She emphasized that security is a shared responsibility and urged students to always report suspicious activities to appropriate authorities while maintaining discipline and patriotism.
Responding on behalf of the school, the Principal, Mrs. Ezenwa Ngozi A., expressed profound appreciation to the NSCDC and CDOWA for extending the programme to the school.
She noted that beyond safeguarding lives and property, the initiative would help build responsible, security-conscious, and patriotic young citizens capable of contributing positively to society.

The sensitization exercise has also been successfully conducted at Abayi Community Secondary School, Abayi, where the Principal, Mr. Francis Victor Pecker, applauded the initiative and appealed for its sustainability to ensure more students benefit from the programme.
Other beneficiary institutions visited include Ogbodiukwu Community Secondary School, Ogbodiukwu, Umuahia South Local Government Area, and Lohum Secondary School, Bende Local Government Area, where educational materials were distributed following security enlightenment sessions.
The NSCDC Abia State Command disclosed that the campaign will continue across the remaining schools in the state, with plans to ensure that every student benefits from security education, while educational and sanitary materials are distributed to support learning and improve the wellbeing of schoolchildren.
The Command and CDOWA also appealed to corporate organizations, philanthropists, public-spirited individuals, and other stakeholders to partner with the association in expanding the programme’s reach to every school across Abia State.

The initiative underscores the commitment of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to proactive crime prevention through public enlightenment, community engagement, and strategic partnerships geared towards creating a peaceful, secure, and crime-free society.

Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu .

FIC Correspondent: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

22rd July 2026.

… Abia Secures ₦2 Billion Boost For Akwete Women

The visit of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, to Abia State has reinforced the importance of strong collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments in promoting economic empowerment, cultural preservation and inclusive national development.

In a landmark visit to Akwete, Ukwa East Local Government Area, the Nation’s First Lady joined Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, and the First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, on an inspection tour of the famous Akwete Weaving Cooperative Society, where she interacted with master weavers and witnessed the centuries-old weaving tradition that has earned Akwete international recognition.

The visit, which culminated in a grand civic reception attended by government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, women and youth groups, stakeholders and residents, underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering local industries, preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and supporting women-led enterprises under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In a major highlight of the visit, Senator Oluremi Tinubu announced a ₦2 billion intervention fund to support the empowerment of women engaged in Akwete cloth production, describing the indigenous fabric as a priceless national heritage deserving greater recognition and patronage.
She urged Nigerians, particularly people of the South-East, to promote and proudly wear Akwete fabric just as other regions celebrate their indigenous textiles.

“I am here to announce to all Nigerians that Akwete belongs to the nation. It is a beautiful fabric that deserves to be modernised and promoted. On my own, I am donating Two Billion Naira to support this project,” the First Lady declared.
She disclosed that her interest in Akwete cloth was sparked after watching a documentary on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), adding that she had long desired to visit the weaving community.

The First Lady further pledged to wear Akwete attire during her husband’s second term, emphasizing that preserving indigenous culture remains vital to Nigeria’s identity.
Describing Governor Alex Otti as “a good man,” Senator Tinubu commended him for transforming what was intended to be a private visit into a historic celebration of culture and national unity.

Governor Alex Otti, while welcoming the First Lady, described her visit as a watershed moment for Abia State and the Akwete weaving community.
According to him, the visit represents a strategic Federal endorsement of the State Government’s ongoing efforts to reposition Akwete as a globally competitive textile brand capable of creating jobs, expanding exports and empowering women.

Governor Otti revealed that his administration began revitalising the Akwete weaving industry shortly after assuming office in 2023, stressing that the Federal Government’s support would accelerate the vision of transforming Akwete into a thriving production hub.
He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the bold economic reforms initiated by the Federal Government, particularly the removal of petroleum subsidy and the floating of the naira. He noted that the policies have increased revenue available to federal, state and local governments for developmental projects.

The Governor also pledged the readiness of the Abia State Government to partner with the First Lady in establishing a modern production hub that would strengthen the capacity of Akwete women and preserve the ancient craft for future generations.

Earlier, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, described the visit as historic, noting that it was the first time a Nigerian First Lady had personally visited Akwete to support its women weavers.

She praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for delivering practical social investment programmes that continue to uplift women, small businesses and vulnerable groups across the country.

Goodwill messages from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Sampson Ogah, and the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuribe, highlighted the economic and cultural significance of the Federal Government’s intervention.
They commended both the First Lady of Nigeria and the First Lady of Abia State for drawing national attention to Akwete cloth and called for the establishment of a world-class weaving and production centre to boost exports, tourism and employment.

The event also featured the conferment of the prestigious chieftaincy title “Ugo Nwanyi of Abia” (The Pride of Womanhood) on Senator Oluremi Tinubu in recognition of her exceptional commitment to women empowerment, national unity and the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

The historic visit is widely regarded as a significant milestone in strengthening Federal-State cooperation and advancing the shared vision of economic diversification, women empowerment, cultural renaissance and sustainable development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government and the transformational development agenda of the Abia State Government.

…NYSC Abia State Director Commends Governor Otti’s Support

The strong partnership between the Federal Government’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Abia State Government has received another major boost as Governor Dr. Alex Otti directed the immediate removal of all administrative bottlenecks delaying the implementation of the approved state allowance for Corps members serving in Abia. The Governor gave the directive while receiving the newly deployed Abia State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Alhaji Yunusa Tanimu, at the Government House, Umuahia.

Expressing surprise over the delay despite his earlier approval, Governor Otti stressed that adequate budgetary provisions had already been made and ordered the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development to work with the Head of Service to ensure the immediate commencement of payments.

The Governor recalled that he had previously intervened to resolve issues relating to the verification of Corps members’ Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), insisting that no further administrative hurdle should prevent the implementation of the approved allowance.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of Corps members, Governor Otti acknowledged their invaluable contributions to education, healthcare and community development across the state, noting that his government would continue to provide every necessary support to make their service year rewarding.

He also welcomed the new State Coordinator, assuring him that Abia remains a peaceful and hospitable state where every resident is treated as an indigene irrespective of state of origin.

Earlier, the new NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Yunusa Tanimu, lauded both the Federal Government’s NYSC Scheme and the Abia State Government for their shared commitment to youth development and national service.

He appealed for the speedy implementation of the approved state allowance and commended Governor Otti for numerous interventions that have significantly improved the welfare of Corps members in the state.

According to him, the NYSC has benefited immensely from the Governor’s people-oriented policies, including the comprehensive renovation of Corps members’ hostels and the multi-purpose hall at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna; construction of internal roads within the camp; installation of solar-powered streetlights; approval of funds for enhanced feeding, generator fueling and orientation logistics; approval of enhanced state allowance for Corps members; provision of a new NYSC State Secretariat; and approval of funds for furnishing the new office.

Alhaji Tanimu further congratulated Governor Otti on his remarkable achievements in infrastructure, economic development, peace and good governance, assuring him that the Federal Government’s NYSC would continue to partner with the Abia State Government in promoting national unity, youth empowerment and sustainable development.

The meeting underscored the importance of the NYSC as one of the Federal Government’s foremost nation-building institutions and highlighted the value of effective collaboration between the Federal and State Governments in improving the welfare of Corps members while enhancing national development.