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Tag: Alex Otti

  • Abia Gov’t redeems N75m cash rewards  to athletes, coaches

    Abia Gov’t redeems N75m cash rewards  to athletes, coaches

    Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has redeemed the cash award promised to athletes who made the state proud in Para-Badminton Championship in Uganda and the National Under-15 Youth Games in Delta State.

    While hosting the athletes in October, Governor Alex Otti had promised N33 million to all the athletes, N22 million to the coaches, and N20 million to the two athletes who won gold and silver medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics for Nigeria.

    Also the Governor had promised to transform the Umuahia township stadium, acquire a coaster bus for the Abia State Sports Council and procure an official car for the State Director of Sports.

    Presenting the money to the benefiting athletes in presence of their parents at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Abia State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, said that the money would be paid into the personal bank accounts of the athletes, noting that those without bank accounts would receive their money through their parents’ bank accounts.

    He further  disclosed that the 15 athletes who were given automatic employment in the State’s Sports Council by Governor Otti, have been processed for eventual employment, adding  this is to prevent them from dumping Abia for other states or countries.

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    He, however, warned parents who will receive money on behalf of their children against squandering the cash but to use it for the academics and professional development of the young athletes.

    He stressed the need for parents to keep supporting their children and wards in their sports ambitions.

    George, who expressed his gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering support, acknowledged the contributions of the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwabilor Ananaba, whose continued efforts have boosted the activities of the Sports Council.

    He outlined the achievements of the athletes as remarkable, with Abia State securing 7 gold, 12 silver, and 12 bronze medals at the National Youth Games, alongside two silver medals at the Para Badminton Championship.

    In their various speeches, the Director Technical of the Abia Sports Council, Mrs. Mary Nwachukwu Chima, and the Head of Organizing Department, Mrs. Victoria Umunna, attributed the athletes’ improved performance to the Governor’s support.

    They highlighted the provision of over 24 sporting equipment and the organization of secondary school games earlier in the year as key motivators.

    They noted that these initiatives have raised athletes’ performance standards, emphasizing that they had “never had it this good before.”

    Speaking on behalf of the athletes, a medallist, Onyekachi Goodness, expressed gratitude for the Governor’s intervention, noting that it has made sports exciting again.

    She promised to continue training hard to make Abia State and Nigeria proud in future competitions.

    Responding on behalf of the parents, Mr. Chukwudi Cletus Obi, Mrs. Joy Adanma, and Mrs. Happiness Onyekachi expressed their appreciation for the Governor’s gestures, which they described as unprecedented.

    They pledged to continue supporting their children’s sports ambitions while praising the administration’s efforts in promoting youth development.

  • Our appointments on merit, says Gov Otti

    Our appointments on merit, says Gov Otti

    Abia Governor Alex Otti said appointments of his administration are based on merit and not primordial sentiments.

    Otti stated this while speaking at the special thanksgiving service by Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi at the Adventist Secondary Technical College (ASTEC) Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South local government area.

    The Governor said that though he has known Elder Ubochi for close to 50 years, his appointment as commissioner was not based on relationship.

    He said he rather believes in skills and competence when appointing government officials, assuring that he would continue with the policy of appointing individuals who have what it takes to deliver.

    “I have known Elder Goodluck Ubochi for close to 50 years. So his (Ubochi’s) appointment
    was not because I knew him. He was appointed because he is competent

    “In our administration, we appoint people we know and people we don’t know.

    “That we knew you, does not guarantee your appointment and that we didn’t know you will not also stop you from being appointed”.

    “Our appointments are based on merit. Last year, we appointed 24 Permanent Secretaries and they went through a process from writing tests and oral interview. It turned out that from 1 to 24. I didn’t know any of them.

    “Something interesting happened for the first time in Abia State, someone who was not from Abia State, someone who wasn’t from the southeast, someone from Edo emerged as a Permanent Secretary

    “This shows you that this administration is about skills, competence, capacity and merit. We can’t apologise for it,” Otti stated.

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    The Governor, who described education as one of the areas of priorities of his government, assured that he is not going to go beyond 20 percent budgetary allocation for education.

    “As long as I am Governor of this state, the amount allocated to education in our budget is not going to go below 20 percent of the budget,” Otti assured.

    While reminding Christians on the needs to remain firm in Christ to make it to heaven, Otti congratulated the celebrator on his appointment and commended him for remembering to return thanks to God.

    Ubochi narrated his life history and spoke on how God saw him through life challenges at various times till his appointment as a Commissioner.

    He stressed the need for all to trust in the Lord while assuring that he would continue to assist in ensuring that the vision of Governor Otti for Abia is fulfilled.

  • Otti justifies Labour Party’s abysmal outing at council polls

    Otti justifies Labour Party’s abysmal outing at council polls

    …Optimistic about Nnamdi Kanu’s release

    The governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti has said that he remains a strong member of the Labour Party (LP) despite the abysmal performance of the party in the just concluded Nov. 2 election in all the 17 local government areas in the state.

    Otti, who was speaking at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia, the state capital, during his monthly media chat with journalists and citizens of the state, attributed the LP’s poor outing at the polls to the unending internal leadership crisis that has bedeviled the party in the state and at the national levels respectively.

    According to Otti, he was aware that his supporters were leaving the Labour Party to contest the local government election in another political party, but couldn’t stop them from joining another party(ies) of their choice to pursue their political aspirations.

    “Political parties are simply platforms through which people achieve their political aspirations.

    “I am still a member of the Labour Party. I authorized my followers to join any party of their choice.

    “The crisis in the Labour Party made the people abandon the Labour Party in the last election in the state because people have a discerning mind.”

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    Speaking on possible release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Otti who said that he would not make public some of the steps he has taken to push for the release of the IPOB leader, however, went ahead to disclose that he has been engaging the presidency over Kanu’s continued detention, stating that Kanu, who is also an Abian would soon regain his freedom.

    He went ahead to disclose that ten persons involved in pension fraud in the state would soon be arraigned in court.

    This is even as he hinted that plans were underway to repatriate other accomplices from their respective countries of hideout to Abia to face trial.

    On what his government is doing to arrest insecurity in the state, disclosed that he has directed security agencies in the state to fish out those behind the recent killing of a banker and two others by gunmen in the state capital.

  • Otti renames Abia Poly after late Onu

    Otti renames Abia Poly after late Onu

    Gov. Alex Otti, has renamed the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, after the first  governor of the state, late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

    Otti made the announcement on  Thursday, during a  Commendation Service held in honour of the deceased at the International Conference Center, Umuahia.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onu, who passed away in April at the age of 72, also served as the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation.

    The governor  said that late Onu made significant contributions to the development of the state and nation at large.

    “We as a state have decided to immortalize him by renaming the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba after him.

    “The Polytechnic will henceforth be known as Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba,”he said.

    The governor added that the deceased made significant contributions to Abia’s development.

    This, he said was especially with the founding of the Abia State Polytechnic, the Abia State College of Education (Technical), and supporting the establishment of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU).

    “The simultaneous establishment of these institutions in the three senatorial districts of the state speaks to Dr Onu’s distinction as a strategic leader.

    “He was a leader that understood the connection between institutions of learning and the development of the critical manpower necessary for holistic and widespread economic growth,” he said.

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    Otti recalled that late Onu’s act of patriotism in 1999 when he sacrificed his presidential bid for national unity, adding that the deceased  showed great commitment to Nigeria’s future.

    “He loved the country and its democratic future more than his desire to occupy the exalted seat of the presidency.

    “Dr Onu was by every measure, qualified to serve this country as its president at the dawn of the Fourth Republic and had a good run at it.

    “He only had to let go of his ambition when circumstances contrived against it but he still found other veritable ways of serving the country he loved so dearly.

    “He was an important voice for democracy, a true nationalist and patriot who saw beyond the narrow prism of ethnicity and religion.

    “He saw every Nigerian as a citizen who has the right to pursue their economic and social aspirations from any part of the country, unrestricted by individual or institutional biases,”Otti said.

    He said Onu’s demise had created a social and political void that would be very difficult to fill.

    Otti  prayed God to grant the family of the deceased and the people of Ebonyi State the fortitude to bear the loss and urged them to emulate his life of service and integrity.

    In a homily, the Bishop of Umuahia Catholic Diocese, His Lordship Michael Ukpong, emphasised the need for all to live responsibly.

    Ukpong said that the former governor positively impacted lives and left indelible marks in Abia.

    He said the deceased would be remembered for many reasons including contributions such as attracting the rebuilding of the Abia Tower of Peace, establishment of Broadcasting Corporation of Abia, National Ambassador among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted dignitaries including  chairman, National burial planning committee, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim among others.

    (NAN)

  • Otti splashes N20 million on two Paralympians 

    Otti splashes N20 million on two Paralympians 

    Rewards 15 Abian athletes with jobs  

    Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced employment for 15 athletes who won Gold and Silver Medals in international and national sporting competitions even as he  temporarily lifted embargo on employment.

    Governor Otti who made the announcement at his residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA during a reception held for Abia State’s victorious athletes from both international and national competitions, congratulated the athletes for making the State proud.

    The event also honoured gold and silver medallists along with their coaching crew from the recently concluded  Paris 2024 Paralympics, 

    Describing the event as one of his happiest days in office, the Governor emphasized that the move is aimed at boosting the morale of athletes and retaining talent as well as preventing them from leaving the state to seek opportunities abroad and sister States.

    “Since I assumed office, what I met was an embargo on employment and I’ve maintained it but because of these our athletes that have done well, we don’t want them to ‘Japa’ either abroad or to other states,” he said.”I am going to lift that embargo to employ about fifteen of them and reinstate it back.”

    He further  reiterated his administration’s abolition of the non-indigene distinction, stressing that anyone residing in Abia State is considered an Abian. 

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    After  announcing a cash reward of N20 million for the two Abia’s  Paralympic powerlifters, Onyinyechi Gift Mark and Esther Nworgu, Governor Otti commended them for their exceptional performance noting that  ‘with determination, nothing is impossible’.

    The Governor further announced that other athletes will receive the sum of N33 Million while their coaching crew will receive N22 Million.

    The Governor promised to address infrastructural concerns raised by the athletes, including the maintenance of the stadium, enhancing their working conditions and upgrading the office of the Director of Sports/

    He  assured them that a brand-new Coaster Bus for the team and an official car for the Director of Sports would be delivered before the end of November.

    The Governor while acknowledging the efforts and contributions of  former Nigeria International and  erstwhile Super  Eagles’ coach, Christian  Chukwu, who graced the occasion and presented his book to the Governor, promised to support him by ensuring that he receives the best medical attention.

    “The truth is that any society that forgets people like this is doomed to fail. You must remember where you started. This is not the time to forget him. We will look after him and ensure that his health is restored,” he assured.

    In his address, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, attributed all the remarkable successes recorded by the sports council to the valuable supports and unflinching love of Governor Otti to the Ministry.

    The Commissioner while rolling out the achievements of the Sports Council since the inception of the new administration, noted that successes at the recent Paralympic Games in France and National Sports Festival held in Delta State were the direct result of deliberate investment in sports infrastructure, purchase of equipment and focused athletic development programs by the present administration.

    In his words, the sponsorship the Governor provided the athletes to compete and train in international tournaments such as Dubai, Egypt, Thailand and Kenya played a fundamental role in their success adding that the impressive performance of the athletes has added a feather in the cap for Abia State.

  • Otti vows to rejig Abia sports as state hosts volleyball  tourney

    Otti vows to rejig Abia sports as state hosts volleyball  tourney

    Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti is hosting the Nigerian National Volleyball Federation Division One and Two Championship phase two taking place in Umuahia, the state capital.

    Speaking to journalists on the competition, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development,  Nwaobilor Ananaba said Governor Otti remains resolute in making the state a sports destination. 

    He said that since the inception of Governor Otti’s administration, many sports federations have identified  with Abia State with various sports events.

    “Abia will be number destination in terms of sports in the near future. In terms of sports tourism, business of sports and we are working towards it. As you can see, everybody wants to come to Abia state.

    “Almost all the states now want to come to Abia state for us to host one event or the other. And since His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti assumed office, he has been doing fantastic things in all the sectors including the sports sector.

    “We are excited to welcome the whole nation for the Volleyball Championship Division One and Two,” he stated.

    He said Abia is prepared for the competition, disclosing that Governor Otti  has approved the renovation of the indoor hall of the stadium which is now up to  international standard. 

    He added that the athletes are ready to participate and expressed the hope that Team Abia would do well in the competition.

    The Commissioner urged the athletes to work hard assuring that the Governor is willing to reward any athlete that performs excellently.

    Also, the State Director of Sports , Comrade Obioma George disclosed that the competition commenced today, 10th October with arrival of athletes and would last through 20th October.

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    He revealed that 19 states were expected to be in Abia for the competition. 

    “You know before now things were topsy-turvy in the state sports council Abia, but the coming of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti OFR has sincerely turned things around in the sports sector in the State.

    “So far in Abia state, the state is waxing strong starting from when the state organised the secondary school games which was just like a foundation.

    “The Governor is interested, the Commissioner is interested in developing sports. ” Comrade George maintained.

    In his contribution, an  international volleyball referee and 1st Vice of Chairman of the Nigerian Volleyball Association, Muhammed Muhammed, while assuring of fair officiating in the competition  commended Governor Alex Otti for his interest in sports development in Nigeria.

    “It is not every state or every Governor that has that  interest but from what we have seen, the state has sponsored many competitions. 

    “Even last two months , the state sponsored the South-South /South East Volleyball Championship,” Muhammed stated.

  • NUJ begs Otti to reduce working days for civil servants

    NUJ begs Otti to reduce working days for civil servants

    The leadership of the Abia State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has appealed to the governor of the state, Dr. Alex Otti to consider reducing the number of the working days of civil servants in the state.

    The NUJ leadership led by its chairman, Comrade Victor Ndukwe who presided over the union’s congress held at the secretariat of the NUJ located along Aba road in Umuahia, the state capital said that the decision of the union to beg the governor to reduce the number of working days of civil servants was to cushion the effects of the harsh economic realities on the workers, as were obtainable in some states in the country.

    The NUJ in a communiqué signed by NUJ State Chairman, and other members of the communiqué drafting committee Comrade Chukwuma Emele, Chairman communiqué Drafting Committee, Imeremba M. Imeremba, Oluchi Franklin and Comrade Ikechukwu Onuegbu, Secretary read: “That Congress appreciates the State Government for the ongoing transformation at Isigate Umuahia which has enhanced free-flow of traffic in the area and appeals to the relevant authorities to strictly monitor the activities of the taskforce team as some of their compromised members still extort tricycle operators in order to allow them to illegally pick and drop off commuters which is a negation of government’s objective.

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    “That Congress observes that retirees from the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA) and a few other parastatals are yet to be paid their pension for almost one year despite having been verified and appeals to the state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, to cause the immediate clearance of the said pensions arrears to enable the retirees to heave a sigh of relief in these austere time.

    “Congress also urges pensioners in the State under the auspices of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) to guard against divisions in their ranks and speak with one voice always, and notes that existence of a splinter group will not help their cause.

    “Congress applauds the Governor Alex Otti-led administration for its promise to establish a modular refinery in the state and calls on the Governor to ensure realization of the project expected to commence operations in the first quarter of next year, because of the enormous socio-economic impact on the state.

    “Congress lauds the State government for the improved security in the state attributable to the collaborative efforts of the government and security agencies in the state and expressed optimism that the new Commissioner of Police (CP), Danladi Isa, will key into the effort to not only sustain the gains but improve upon them.

    “Congress also joins the state government in encouraging wealthy Abians and investors to consider investing in the state so as to contribute to its development and creating employment for its people.”

  • Otti affirms determination to deliver on security

    Otti affirms determination to deliver on security

    Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti says he would continue to deliver on his mandate of securing the state and called on all Abians to join hands to boost security in the state.

    Otti stated this while declaring open the Renewed Hope Agenda: Citizens Town Hall Engagement on strengthening community policing in Nigeria held at the International Conference Centre Umiahia, the state capital.

    Speaking at the town hall meeting with the theme; ‘Community policing: Building a safer Together,’ Otti underscored the importance of security.

    According to him, security remains on the agenda of his administration, hence the setting up of a joint security taskforce codenamed ‘Operation Crush,’ to tackle insecurity and all forms of criminality in the state.

    “On assumption of office in May last year, I announced that security of lives and property shall be the number one priority of the state government as stipulated in the constitution.

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    “We made good our promise a few weeks later by setting up a joint task force code-named ‘Operation Crush’ and gave them a very simple mandate to make Abia a safe place for law-abiding citizens and a very uncomfortable territory for criminals,” he explained.

    He highlighted that the meeting which presented an opportunity for a robust engagement will reawaken citizens on their responsibilities to prevent crime by assisting the law enforcement agencies.

    In her remarks, the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stated that the meeting aimed at transforming the Nigerian Police Force into a world-class institution suited for the 21st century.

    She added that the goal is to create a Police Force that is responsive, intelligence-driven, community-oriented, and technologically advanced, while also excelling in maintaining public safety, upholding the rule of law, and fostering trust through transparent and accountable practices.

    She described the Renewed Hope  Police agenda as a significant shift in policing in Nigeria designed to catalyze grassroots understanding and foster collaboration, adding that the collective goal is to create a world-class police force.

  • Otti, others splashes ₦52.5m on Abia Warriors 

    Otti, others splashes ₦52.5m on Abia Warriors 

    The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti has announced that players and management of Abia Warriors Football Club would be receiving the sum of ₦35m monthly.

    According to the governor, while the ₦30 Million will be coming from the state government’s coffers, ₦5 Million will come through Alex Otti’s Foundation.

    Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika who was present at the reception gave the club ₦10 Million, Hon. Darlington Nwaokocha gave them ₦5 Million while Engr. Chinedu Onyeizu gave them ₦2.5 million.

    Governor Otti gave the assurance during a reception in honour of the players and management of the club for making it to the finals of the 2023/2024 FA cup competition where they finished as runner-up, the first in the history of the club.

    He congratulated the players, management and the board for making him and the State proud, saying that for him, the moment they made it to the final, they had won. 

    “Thank you very much for joining me to receive the gallant warriors of Abia Warriors. I was very pleased as I watched you inch to the finals,” he said. “As far as I was concerned, when you got to the finals, you had won and the least that could happen was for you to be first runner up which is what you are.

    “So when I listened to the chairman speak a little bit with regret, saying that luck ran out of you. I’m not too sure I can remember in recent time when you were the first runner-up. 

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    “So, you came from the rear and you came second in the FA Cup. That’s a huge feat and I’m happy and I congratulate you.

     “Clearly I can say without any fear of contradiction, the next time around, you will lift the FA Cup”, Governor Otti added.

    Speaking further, he assured the players of the support of his administration to achieve more for the club and individually like great footballers like Jay Jay Okocha, Christiano Ronaldo etc.

    “One thing you can take away from here is that this government will continue to support you”.

    “Those Opportunities we do not have, we want to give them to you. 

    “So, I have listened to the Chairman’s pleas and we are going to take them one after the other, you know we don’t have money, we are just managing.

    “By next week you will get a coaster bus for the team. The other things in the shopping list, we will take them one after the other as our resources allow”, the Governor assured.

    The Governor was joined on the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government,  Prof. Kenneth Kalu, the Hon. Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba, the Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, Hon. Commissioner for Information and Culture,  Prince Okey Kanu, Hon. Commissioner for Power and Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Youth Development, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke and others.

  • Abia to organise local govt election soon – Gov Otti

    Abia to organise local govt election soon – Gov Otti

    Abia state governor, Alex Otti, has pledged that local government elections will soon be held across all 17 local government areas of the state.

    Governor Otti criticised his predecessor for not holding local government elections, which allowed the administration to dismiss and withhold funds from local government officials and control the distribution of these funds.

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    Speaking at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Umuahia, the state capital, Governor Otti announced that the current Mayoral positions held by Transition Committee (TC) Chairmen appointed by his administration would end once the elections are conducted.

    He emphasised the importance of local government to grassroots communities and expressed his eagerness to enable citizens to elect their own leaders in the local government areas.