The Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has promised to establish a National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) study centre in Aba, the commercial heartbeat of the state.
To this end, the governor directed the state's Commissioner for Tertiary Education and the Managing Director, Greater Aba Development Authority to commence search for a temporary site for the location of the study centre, pending the building of a befitting permanent centre in the area.
Governor Otti's directive followed the request of the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, for a policy direction in citing a study centre of the university in Aba.
Prof. Uduma dropped the request when he paid a visit to the Abia State Governor at his home town in Umuru, Umuehim in Ehi Na Uguru Ancient Kingdom, Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State.
Speaking further, Dr. Otti explained that Aba, being a major commercial hub in the state, cannot afford the luxury of being behind without a centre of NOUN.
He noted that "Open and Distance Learning (ODL), over the years, has transformed along with technology advancement."
Applications like the Google Meet, Zoom and the likes have facilitated meetings and the transfer of knowledge, he said.
The governor said In view of the role NOUN is playing in advancing education, it's no brainer, Aba has to get a study centre.
"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," said Governor Otti.
Consequently, he also directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education in the state, Prof. Uche Uche, to work in the direction of the Umuahia Study Centre and see how the government can assist with the improvement of facilities for a better learning environment.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma who was on a courtesy visit to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, had told the governor that NOUN does not only pride itself in education through open and distance learning alone, but access and inclusiveness in all of 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.
"NOUN, as an institution that reflects federal character, is willing to partner with any government or institution in creating access to education that allows people to express themselves freely," the Vice-Chancellor said.
Prof. Uduma underscored the importance of ODL globally, a development that necessitates other universities in the country to adopt a dual mode of education delivery.
He thanked the governor for his hospitality and accepting to host him and the university management despite the demand of his office.
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