Gov. Otti Shocks TECHRISE Graduates, Lifts Employment Embargo to Absorb 50 Best Performers into Abia Civil Service

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has taken a bold and unprecedented step in youth empowerment by granting automatic employment to 50 outstanding graduates of the TECHRISE Cohort 2 ICT and Digital Skills Development Programme, effectively lifting the employment embargo to accommodate them into the Abia State Civil Service.

The Governor made the announcement on Saturday, December 20, 2025, during the graduation ceremony of 849 TECHRISE Cohort 2 trainees at the JAAC Building Secretariat, Umuahia, marking another decisive moment in his administration's human capital development agenda.

Governor Otti stated clearly that the employment offer would be subject to the beneficiaries possessing the required civil service documentation, adding that the embargo would immediately return once the recruitment process for the 50 beneficiaries is completed.

"I am glad the Head of Service is here. What this means is that I have lifted the embargo to employ 50 of them. Once that is done, the embargo comes back," the Governor declared.

He disclosed that a total of 1,359 Abians have now successfully passed through TECHRISE within the last 12 months, forming a critical workforce for the State's ongoing digital transformation drive.

Governor Otti explained that the TECHRISE initiative was deliberately designed to produce an elite corps of ICT solution providers capable of supporting government efficiency, private sector innovation, and global competitiveness.

According to him, Abia State is actively repositioning its service delivery architecture to run efficiently on a digital infrastructure superhighway, reduce reliance on paper processes, ensure round-the-clock public services, and significantly improve turnaround time.

He further revealed that the Umuahia Dedicated Internet Access and Wide Area Network Project has been completed and is fully operational across government establishments in the capital city, while the Abia State DUCT Infrastructure Development Project, flagged off in Aba, is expanding broadband penetration statewide.

Governor Otti stressed that leadership is about inspiring people to believe in the validity of their dreams, noting that many Abians are already working remotely for global companies, earning foreign exchange, and contributing to the local economy.

In a show of compassion and encouragement, the Governor approved 50,000 Christmas support for each of the 849 graduands and 100,000 cash rewards for prize-winning trainees. He also directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to provide transportation support for all graduands to return to their respective local government areas.

The Governor led a one-minute silence in honour of Mr. Princewill Ogbonnia, a TECHRISE trainee who passed away shortly before the graduation ceremony, extending heartfelt condolences to his family.

Earlier, Commissioners Prince Uzor Nwachukwu (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), Mr. David Kalu (Science, Technology and Innovation), and Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba (Youth and Sports Development) commended Governor Otti's unwavering commitment to youth development, describing TECHRISE as a life-changing initiative.

Permanent Secretary Lady Oge Maduka highlighted that the programme went beyond technical skills, instilling discipline, leadership, resilience, and self-confidence in participants.

CEO of LEARNFACTORY, Mr. Chibueze Ukaegbu, applauded the Governor's vision and urged graduands to deploy their skills responsibly.

Speaking on behalf of the graduands, Miss Chinwemeri Benjamin thanked Governor Otti for the training, laptops, and empowerment, noting that the programme has positioned them for economic independence.

The event also featured testimonials from Cohort 1 graduates, including innovators who developed applications focused on waste-to-wealth solutions and emergency roadside assistance, underscoring the growing impact of TECHRISE on Abia's tech ecosystem.