The growing importance of online and distance learning centres in today’s technology-driven world has once again been underscored as Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, called on Nigerians to embrace digital and virtual education as the future of learning.
Governor Otti made the call while receiving in audience a delegation of the management of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Uduma Orji Uduma, at his office.
The Governor commended NOUN for pioneering virtual and distance learning in Nigeria long before it became globally mainstream, noting that the world has now fully embraced digital communication and remote learning systems.
“It is interesting that National Open University of Nigeria pioneered an effort decades ago when the world had not gone virtual. But today, I sit here and hold meetings with people in New York and Singapore.
“That is what learning has become. Distance, Open, Virtual, Zoom, Google Meet and all the platforms for distance learning and virtual meetings have become the order of the day.
“So, we have no choice but to embrace it,” Governor Otti stated.
Responding to requests presented by the NOUN management, Governor Otti approved the siting of a Study Centre in Aba and directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to work with relevant officials to assess and upgrade the existing Umuahia Study Centre.
“On your request to support in upgrading the place (Umuahia centre), I would like the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education to take that up together with other members of the team.
“Let’s have a look and see how we can support them to upgrade the place.
“On the request for a study centre in Aba, I think that one is a no-brainer. It has to be done.
“So, the General Manager of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), please take that up and let’s find a place for them.
“Maybe we need to find a place that they will operate from on a temporary basis. Because before you start and finish building, it will probably take a long time.
“So, you can start from a temporary place. We will now be thinking of a permanent site, which will be a fairly long-term project,” the Governor stated.
Governor Otti thanked the management of NOUN for the work they are doing across the country and for establishing study centres in Asaga Ohafia and Umuahia. He also congratulated the Ebonyi State-born Vice Chancellor on his appointment.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s strong commitment to education, revealing that his government has consistently allocated 20 percent of the State’s annual budget to the education sector over the last three years. He further disclosed that three smart schools would soon be commissioned in the State within the month.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Uduma Orji Uduma, said the delegation visited the Governor to seek partnership and support for the establishment of a Study Centre in Aba, describing open and distance learning as the future of education in the 21st century.
Professor Uduma noted that NOUN currently operates 120 Study Centres nationwide, with only eight located in the South-East region. He appealed to the Abia State Government to assist the institution with land acquisition for the proposed Aba Study Centre and support the upgrading of the existing Umuahia Centre to expand access to quality education for more Abians.
The Vice Chancellor commended Governor Alex Otti for the ongoing transformation projects across the State, stating that Nigerians are impressed with the Governor’s people-oriented leadership and development strides.
The meeting was attended by the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme, alongside other Commissioners and senior government appointees.
