Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has restated his administration’s commitment to building a better future for children in the state through sustained investment in education, infrastructure, and social inclusion.

Otti disclosed this on Wednesday during this year’s Children’s Day celebration in Umuahia.

He said that “children remain the foundation of society and clearest representation of the future,” adding that governance must consistently prioritise their development.

He said: “Today and tomorrow belong to the children and we have gathered to affirm our faith in the promises that the future holds for the young people.

“While it is conventional to celebrate our children on this date, our disposition is to dedicate every work hour to the duties and demands of making our community better for those coming after us.

“We are nothing but stewards, for our legacy will not be measured by how much material possession we acquire; but in what we do to inspire others, especially children to dream and believe.

“Children represent, in a fundamental sense, the beauty and future of mankind.”

According to him, every policy direction and investment decision of the administration over the last three years had been deliberately designed to secure a better future for the next generation.

“The ultimate motivation is that we want you to inherit a better Abia, one that supports your big dreams and aspirations.

“It is also for the above reason that we have consistently committed 20 per cent of our annual budgetary outlay to education.

“We are investing generously in education because of the significant role it will play in shaping the future you shall inherit.

“As you know, the government now embraces 100 per cent of the responsibility for basic public school education in the state.

“To improve the quality of teaching and learning, more than 5,000 new teachers have been recruited and posted to various schools.

“We are currently changing the school’s infrastructure landscape to meet modern learning demands and appetite for innovation.

“In Abia, education is our biggest industry and vehicle to a prosperous future.

“No price, and I repeat, no price is too steep to pay because the children we have here are our greatest assets,” Otti said.

He highlighted ongoing infrastructure development projects across the state, describing them as part of a broader strategy to build a more prosperous environment for children to thrive.

He urged children to remain disciplined, hardworking, and focused, while encouraging teachers and parents to continue to play active roles in shaping responsible citizens.

He also called for greater inclusion of children with disabilities in public celebrations and educational activities, insisting that they must not be marginalised in any aspect of society.

In her speech, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to evolving child protection policies and programmes.

Aghukwa reiterated the administration’s commitment to quality education, healthcare, and the promotion of opportunities that enable children to grow into responsible citizens.

She said that the Otti-led administration had demonstrated consistent concern for the welfare of children and families.

She said that the celebration was not only for entertainment but also a reaffirmation of collective responsibility to raise children in love, discipline, and security.

Aghukwa commended parents, teachers, caregivers, and stakeholders for their contributions and called for sustained commitment to raising children in an environment of love, discipline, security, and hope.

Also, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Goodluck Ubochi, described Abia as fortunate to have a leadership that prioritises children’s development.

Ubochi said that reforms in the education sector were positioning Abia students to compete globally.

“Be committed to your studies, be obedient, do the right thing at the right time and this will be your stepping stone to greatness,” Ubochi said.

Also, the Abia Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr. Izunna Iweobi, raised concern over the “rising cases of human trafficking and related abuses in the state”.

Iweobi expressed the desire of the agency to partner with the State Government to sustain the fight against human trafficking.

“We are here to stop human trafficking because these children are the future of Abia, and we must join hands to protect them,” he said.

He commended the collaboration between NAPTIP and security agencies in tackling the menace, but called for stronger collective action to protect children and young people.