On Monday, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, inaugurated the Board of the Abia Technological Skills Acquisition Centre (ASTSAC). I am deeply honoured that my fellow citizens have asked me to Chair this Board. Alongside an extraordinary team – Engr. Cletus Ogbonnaya Ekpo (Vice Chairman), Engr. Peter Ukonu (Director-General), Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, Mr. Fidelis Nweze, Dr. Christopher Kalu Okoro, Mr. Chukwudi Ogbonna, and Dr. (Mrs.) Rita Ndidi Amuchienwa – we have accepted this assignment with a solemn commitment to serve Abia and, by extension, Nigeria.
We are presently shaping a roadmap, one inspired by Governor Otti’s grand playbook for Abia’s youth and her industrious people. This Saturday, by the mercies of God, we expect to finalize it after integrating the insights of critical stakeholders across the state and beyond. When that is done, execution will begin, and that execution will involve everyone. For as in our state slogan – God’s Own State – every human is an Abian, since every human is of the Lord (lol). So, whether you hail from Sokoto, Oyo, Rivers, Togo, or Germany, we welcome you to join us in building centers of knowledge and skill.
In 2012, on the invitation of the President of Gabon, I travelled to Libreville to deliver a speech. For that event, I published an article in Harvard Business Review. A sentence I wrote there continues to echo: “Mines of knowledge, not gold or diamond or silver, will connect Africa to a greater destiny and to the growth regions of the world.”
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That remains my thesis today. Through ASTSAC, we will build mines of knowledge and places where skills, ideas, and capabilities are extracted, refined, and multiplied, just the same way petrol is extracted from the latent crude oil! From Aba to Ohafia, from Umuahia to Bende, from Isuikwuato to Ukwa, and beyond, we will transform our youth into builders of prosperity. Our Director-General, Engr. Peter Ukonu, is ready and available to discuss partnerships for Abia with you. Together, we will mine knowledge, the most precious resource in the 21st century, and use it to power the destiny of Abia, Nigeria, and Africa. Join us!
–The press on the inauguration —
Governor Alex Otti Inaugurates Abia Technological Skills Acquisition Board, Appoints Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe as Chairman, Sets Bold Agenda for Digital Transformation and Inclusive Growth
Published on October 13, 2025
By The Eye Opener News
In a bold move to accelerate Abia State’s technological advancement and human capital development, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has inaugurated the Board of the Abia State Technological Skills Acquisition Centre (ASTSAC), appointing renowned technologist and global innovation leader, Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, as Chairman.
Other distinguished members of the newly constituted Board include Engr. Cletus Ogbonnaya Ekpo (Vice Chairman), Engr. Peter Ukonu (Director-General), Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, Mr. Fidelis Nweze, Dr. Christopher Kalu Okoro, Mr. Chukwudi Ogbonna, and Dr. (Mrs.) Rita Ndidi Amuchienwa.
The inauguration, held on Monday shortly after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, reflected the Governor’s strategic focus on knowledge-driven governance and digital empowerment.
Governor Otti, while addressing the Board, lauded the members as “accomplished professionals and some of the finest minds in the technology ecosystem,” noting that their inclusion was a testament to his administration’s commitment to merit, competence, and innovation rather than political or geographical considerations.
He highlighted the exceptional credentials of both the Chairman, Prof. Ekekwe a globally recognized inventor and innovator based in the United States and the Director-General, Engr. Ukonu, a distinguished technologist recalled from the United Kingdom to contribute to Abia’s technological rebirth.
Reiterating that his appointments are strictly merit-based, the Governor stated that the era of parochialism in public service is over, urging the Board members to “think beyond Abia” and embrace a broader Igbo and national identity in their quest to build a technology-driven future.
Governor Otti also expressed profound appreciation for the members’ willingness to serve, acknowledging that their intellectual contributions to the state far outweigh any financial compensation the government could offer.
He charged the Board to spearhead the technological revolution already taking shape across the state, assuring them of full government backing, policy support, and inter-agency collaboration.
“I have no doubt that this team will position Abia as a leading innovation hub in Nigeria and West Africa,” Governor Otti declared, praying for divine wisdom and strength for the Board as they embark on their mandate.
In his inaugural remarks, the Chairman, Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, expressed deep gratitude to Governor Otti and the government for the confidence reposed in him and his colleagues. He described the appointment as a call to national service and a rare opportunity to drive innovation-led economic transformation across Abia and the Igbo nation.
Prof. Ekekwe emphasized that the focus of the Board would be on developing a sustainable technology ecosystem that empowers young people, reduces market inefficiencies, and fosters inclusive prosperity.
According to him, the Board has already commenced work on a comprehensive roadmap to guide Abia’s digital transformation and innovation policies in the coming months.
“Our vision is that every child in Abia, regardless of location or background, will have access to digital literacy and equal opportunities to thrive in the knowledge economy,” he affirmed.
He further commended Governor Otti’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, pledging that the Board will deliver measurable results through strategic partnerships, accountability, and transparent governance.
The inauguration marks yet another milestone in Governor Otti’s administration’s drive to build a new Abia anchored on technology, skill acquisition, and human capacity development, a foundation for a future-ready and economically self-sufficient state
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