Uchechukwu Okoroafor, Abuja
Nestled in the southeastern region of Nigeria, Abia State has long been celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit. However, the state has grappled with challenges ranging from poor infrastructure to unemployment, hindering its development.
Grow your business with us
The winds of change began to blow with the historic election of Governor Alex Otti in 2023 under the Labour Party. A former banker, economist, and philanthropist, Governor Otti has ushered in a new era of governance marked by transparency, economic vitality, and social progress.
Governor Alex Otti initiated a paradigm shift in governance by prioritizing transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. One of his pivotal moves was a forensic audit of the state workforce, uncovering and eliminating thousands of ghost workers, leading to substantial financial savings. Salaries, pensions, and gratuities are now disbursed promptly, demonstrating the governor’s commitment to the welfare of public servants.
Additionally, Governor Otti bolstered the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts, establishing an anti-corruption agency and a judicial commission of inquiry to prosecute cases of fraud and mismanagement of public funds. His strategic partnerships, both foreign and local, have attracted investors, donors, and development partners, breathing life into various projects and programmes across the state.
His visionary leadership extends to economic revitalization, with a comprehensive plan aimed at creating wealth and generating employment opportunities. Through strategic interventions in industry, commerce, and agriculture, Governor Otti leverages the state’s comparative advantages. His ambitious economic transformation agenda holds the promise of not only addressing unemployment but also reducing poverty significantly.
Governor Alex Otti’s transformative governance has become a beacon of hope for Abia State, heralding a new chapter characterized by progress and prosperity. By tackling long-standing issues head-on, from ghost workers to corruption, and fostering collaborations that transcend borders, Governor Otti has set Abia on a trajectory of sustainable development. The winds of positive change are sweeping across the state, as Governor Alex Otti’s leadership reshapes the narrative, offering its citizens a glimpse of a brighter, more prosperous future.
The success of Otti in the leadership of Abia State has attracted local, national, and international attention. The coming on stream of the Geometric Power Plant in Aba, the state’s commercial capital, with its guarantee of supply of electricity 24/7, Enyimba City, has begun to attract huge investments nationally and internationally.
Otti’s impact has been so visible in the past nine months since he was sworn into office on May 29, 2023, that even the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite the political differences between them being elected into their various offices through two opposing political platforms, acknowledged that indeed Abia is working under Otti’s leadership.
The President made his endorsement of Otti recently when he visited the state.
“Within the last nine months, the people of Abia State have witnessed a change in their fortunes. “Abia is working! “We are quite proud of the accomplishments of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR. He has brought to bear his wealth of experience, intellect, and exposure to the development of Abia State,” President Tinubu had declared.
The President, who spoke while commissioning three roads in Aba, reconstructed by the Governor Otti administration, added that the Presidency was proud of the developmental strides of Governor Otti in Abia. The roads are Queens, Jubilee, and Umuoba (Omoba). President Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima asserted that Governor Otti had brought his experience to bear in the administration of Abia State. He emphasised that quality leadership was very crucial to the development of society and thanked Governor Otti for his humility and respect, as well as the development he is bringing to Abia.
Speaking earlier, Governor Otti said the roads being commissioned were strategic routes in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State. The General Hospital in Aba is located on Queen’s Road; Umuoba Road provides direct and easy access from Aba South Local Government Area through Obingwa to Isialangwa South and North local government areas. Jubilee Road is a key infrastructure in the heart of Aba, where several businesses have their outlets. Governor Otti thanked the contractors for working in line with specifications, including putting drainages on both sides of the roads and delivering them in good time. He stressed that the roads are built to last.
“This road is a road that is built to last. When we do this, we want to give power back to the people; we want to give access to you; we want you to go back to what you do and what you know how to do without any obstruction, and that is why we have promised that every part of Aba must be touched,” the Governor stated. He thanked President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and the Federal Government for the support they have been giving to his administration since he assumed office. He assured the people of Abia that his administration was just starting and that he would fulfill every promise made to them. This news organization has no reason whatsoever to doubt the capacity of Otti to deliver on his promises because the last nine months have shown what the next eight years of Otti’s administration of Abia would accomplish.
Governor Otti identifies himself as an interventionist in the realm of politics, a decision that initially perplexed many observers who questioned why he would invest his time, intellect, hard-earned money, and impeccable reputation in the complex world of Nigerian politics. Battling seasoned politicians for the soul of Abia State, Governor Otti’s determination and commitment to intervene in the state’s politics are now yielding tangible results, as evidenced by the events of the past nine months.
In addition to the substantial upgrade of infrastructure, including roads, schools, hospitals, and markets, Governor Otti’s administration has achieved unprecedented feats, such as ensuring the prompt and regular payment of workers’ salaries. Furthermore, initiatives to cleanse the environment of filth and enhance the administration of markets and motor parks have been successful. The government has effectively tackled security challenges, curbing incidents of armed robbery, kidnapping, political thuggery, and revenue-related misconduct. Among the noteworthy accomplishments of Governor Otti’s leadership in Abia over the last nine months and counting is the restoration of pride and dignity to the Abia populace.
Abians worldwide now proudly acknowledge their roots, fostering a renewed sense of identity. The positive transformations in the state have also ignited interest from individuals eager to return home, whether for business investments or to witness the ongoing revolution firsthand. Undeniably, there is a noticeable improvement in the overall orderliness of Abia State, spanning the capital and commercial cities of Umuahia and Aba, the burgeoning towns like Ohafia, Arochukwu, Abiriba, Umunneochi, and Obingwa, as well as the rural-urban areas and villages across the state’s 17 local government areas.
The genuine joy reflected on the faces of citizens during routine project inspections or gubernatorial visits underscores the positive impact of Governor Otti’s administration. This collective sentiment is particularly noteworthy, considering the prevailing economic challenges faced by Nigerians. In contrast to the past, when sitting governors in Abia were met with rebuffs and resentment from citizens, Governor Otti has ushered in a new era for the state. Abia now boasts a transformed appearance and a rejuvenated citizenry who express gratitude to God for the gift of their governor, Dr. Alex Otti, considered the best performing governor in Nigeria in this dispensation. We therefore call on all Abians at home and in Diaspora to continue to pray and support the administration of Alex Otti and disregard shenanigans coming from the camp of those who destroyed Abia for over 20 years, which Otti has committed to rebuilding and is already rebuilding.