Visually impaired woman offers employment in Abia State

By Ajibola Osungbohun

Abia State governor Alex Chioma Otti has granted automatic employment to Mrs. Akaniro Gethrude Chinyere, the wife of a virtually impaired secondary school teacher of Ozuitem Community Secondary School, who has been serving her community without pay.

Mrs Akaniro Gethrude Chinyere’s husband, who is also virtually impaired, was seen in a video post via X,  struggling to conduct a class where only Mrs Akaniro Gethrude Chinyere, her husband, who is said to be the vice principal, and the principal are the ones teaching all 363 students from Junior Secondary School 1 to Senior Secondary School 3.

The story of these couples got to the governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, and he granted automatic employment to Mrs. Akaniro Gethrude Chinyere, the wife of the vice principal, who has been serving her community without pay.

However, the governor’s action is coming at a period when there is a massive reform in the education system in Abia State, including where vacancy for the recruitment of over 5,380 new teachers is ongoing to improve teacher-student ratios. The development is already transforming Ozuitem Secondary School, which caters to more than 350 students.

Responding to the news, Mrs Akaniro Gethrude Chinyere, “This is more than a job, it’s a lifeline.”

The gesture has been hailed as a shining example of responsive governance, with residents praising Governor Otti for recognising and rewarding genuine service. Many in Ozuitem say the move has not only changed the lives of the couple but has also sent a powerful message that dedication and sacrifice do not go unnoticed.

From a viral story to a life-changing opportunity, this act of compassion proves that leadership with a human face can restore hope in one family, one school, and one community at a time.