27th March 2025, NewsOrient, News, Governance And Development,
By Godwin Adindu

This hyphenated word is in the air in Abia State. Governor Alex Otti has made it a singsong word. It rings, almost every week, on the media airwaves.

Flag-off is the initial ceremony for the take-off of road construction or construction of any government monument.

Governor Otti, by the succession of this ceremony, has turned the word into a daily usage, a slogan in the bars and clubs and at other public places.

There has been a galaxy of flag-offs and this is a hallmark of the new Abia.

This is a good development for Abia State.

Indeed, at no point has the word been chorused so loudly and so consistently as it is being song in the current regime. It has been a circus of event after event, ceremony after ceremony.

This is one significant stamp of Governor Alex Otti, a mission to rescue Abia from the doldrums.

But, the word and the ceremonies come with far greater body of meanings. In Abia today, it evokes memories and imageries of conquest and the determination to restore a lost glory.

Every Flag-off ceremony reminds us of a new beginning; of change and the accompanying innovations and victories. The word speaks of a new state with a leader driven by the vision and commitment of building a new Abia.

Flag-off, as a government lexicon, is a metaphor of dynamic and pragmatic leadership predicated on the passion of repositioning Abia to take her place as a flagship state in Nigeria.

Flag-off is the spirit of audacity and affirmative action. Flag-off is a profession of faith that Abia shall be a paradise regained.

The word Flag-off projects Governor Otti’s undaunting faith and courage in the face of a seemingly insurmountable mountain… the spirit of resilience.

Every Flag-off ceremony is a reassurance of hope to Abians that their environment shall be well again, that their roads shall soon be passable and life made much easier for them again.

Flag-off evokes feelings of inner joy and fulfilment that their choice and vote for Governor Otti was not misplaced.

There is this satisfaction of having made the right decision of being in the vanguard of the crusade for change.

Abians feel accomplished and fulfilled.

Indeed, the season of Flag-off of road constructions, Flag-off of rebuilding of bridges(Omenuko Bridge), Flag-off of dedicated Internet access and many others, has transformed Abia State into a huge construction site.

When Governor Alex Otti is done, Abia will certainly be a new place to be.

Flag-off, therefore, is the metaphor of the personality and spirit of the man, the far-sighted vision of the Governor for his people

Adindu writes from Umuahia

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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