29th April 2025: Abia State Under Otti: A Reference Point In Good Governance

29th April 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, Governance And Development, Business And Economy, News
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

As Governor Alex Otti concludes his second year in office, he has continued to receive accolades from well-meaning Nigerians on the incredible job he is doing in rebuilding and transforming the state into a modern economy.

Only recently, a former President of the country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had described Otti as a miracle worker who has done so much to make Abia a better place, noting that as a leader of a winning team, Otti should be supported by the people of the state to continue in office.

The latest validation is coming from another former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Speaking at a programme in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, former President Jonathan urged Nigerian governors and leaders who aspire to excel in leadership to visit Abia State and learn from the achievements of Dr. Otti.

The position of Jonatthan was conveyed by Ambassador Godknows Igali, a former Federal Permanent Secretary, who represented him at a Re-union Dinner of 1980s Alumni of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) which took place in Abia State.

President Jonathan described Governor Otti as a model of purposeful and result-driven leadership. The former President who was in Seoul, South Korea, receiving the 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize, commended Governor Otti`s development-focused governance, noting that his accomplishments in less than two years in office demonstrated clear preparedness for the job and visionary leadership.

“The presence of Alex Otti in Abia State shows intentionality in leadership. He came prepared. Before now, when people heard ‘Aba made”, they would laugh. But today, people are proudly embracing it”.
“Governance in Nigeria should take a cue from what is happening in Abia State-the intentionality of leadership that is focused on delivering real change. Nigerian leaders should emulate Governor Otti`s example”, the former President said.

Jonathan, through his representative, lauded the University of Port Harcourt Alumni, of which Governor Otti is a proud member, for their significant contributions to Nigeria`s political and socio-economic development.

In his response, Otti thanked the UNIPORT 80s Alumni for selecting Umuahia as the venue for their re-union, 12 years after their first gathering in Port Harcourt, during the tenure of a fellow alumnus, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as Governor of Rivers State.
Former Governor Amaechi himself was also present at the Umuahia gathering.

Governor Otti encouraged his fellow alumni to consider participating in public service, emphasizing that the political space provides greater opportunities to make a lasting impact on the society.

“The political space allows you to positively impact the broader society, often in ways that surpass what`s possible in the corporate world”, he said.

Governor Otti used the opportunity to inform his guests and fellow alumni all that his government has done in the last two years to reposition and transform the State. He revealed that his administration is currently renovating 200 primary health centres and 221 schools across the States 184 wards. He added that 20 percent and 15 percent of the States current annual budget were allocated to education and health sectors respectively, underscoring the importance his administration attaches to human capital development.

As part of the re-union activities, the visiting guests were taken round the various project sites in the State to see things for themselves.

The Vice Chancellor of Uniport, Professor Owunari Georgewill, who was part of the delegation, praised Governor Otti for his developmental strides and urged him to remain steadfast

With the torrents of accolades coming from eminent Nigerians in acknowledgement of the impressive developmental strides in the State, there is no doubt that Abia has risen under the watch of Governor Otti and never to fall again.

It is the collective prayer of all men of goodwill that the momentum should be sustained as the Governor marks his mid-term in office and gets set for re-election in 2027 to continue to deliver good governance to the good people of Abia State.

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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