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  • Centre flays Alex Otti’s disregard for protocols, fairness

    Centre flays Alex Otti’s disregard for protocols, fairness

    • Governor denies allegations

    Stakeholders under the aegis of Centre For Equity And Eradication of Rural Poverty have condemned  Abia State Governor Alex Otti for allegedly disregarding  protocols and fairness.

     In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Sir Don Ubani, the centre denounced Otti’s unwarranted show of disrespect to the office of President Bola Tinubu and continuous stoking of embers of disunity.

     According to the centre, in a democratic setting,  an elected official or a high-ranking appointee of government, irrespective of tier, should strictly observe protocol and should not allow his or her personal views becloud his or her relationship with members of the public, and especially in relation with the established status quo.

     It accused Otti of ‘bluntly’ refusing to hang President Bola Tinubu’s photograph in his office, adding that it is against ethics and protocols  to ‘treat Tinubu with scorn and total disrespect.’

    The centre  described the action as ‘primitive exhibition of unmitigated disdain and insubordination’ while claiming that as an afterthought  the governor later placed Tinubu’s photographs in his office and other offices.

     The centre also advised Otti to stop stoking the embers of segregation, discrimination and disunity in the State.

     According to the centre, the public outcry in Abia State where many civil servants are complaining about the Governor’s discriminatory policy in the recent appointment of Permanent-Secretaries in the state’s civil service should make the Governor have a rethink.

    “In a state that has Seventeen Local Government Council Areas, equity, justice and fairness should have dictated that each Local Government Area should get a slot out of the Twenty-four Permanent-Secretaries. Just as there is application of Federal Character Principles at the Federal Level, the State should also apply that Principle in the distribution of strategic positions in the state.

     “But from reports available, while some Local Government Council Areas in the southern district of the State were denied any slot, a particular clan in a Local Government Area in Governor Otti’s Abia-North Senatorial District got three Permanent-Secretaries. This is a clear manifestation of discrimination and injustice against a section of the State,” the statement cautioned.

    Read Also: Tinubu expanding horizon of entrepreneurship in Nigeria – Alake

    Meanwhile, the Abia State Government in a statement by Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ferdinand Ekeoma, stated that  all claims by the centre were ‘false’ and misleading.

     He said the day the report was first published, Otti and the president were having an interesting discussion.

     He described Otti as a gentleman of impeccable character; an accomplished banker who got to the peak of his profession with verifiable record of excellent achievements.

     “The President knows very well that Governor Otti holds him very high, especially for his accomplishments as Governor of Lagos State. Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is a bosom friend of Governor Otti for over two decades and can attest to this fact,” the statement stated.

  • Otti orders removal of political billboards

    Otti orders removal of political billboards

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has directed local government chairmen across the 17 councils to dismantle the billboards used by parties during the last general election.

    This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by Prince Okey Kanu, commissioner for Information and Culture.

    Read Also: Governors Yusuf, Otti get high rating in governance – survey

    Kanu, quoting the governor, gave the local government chairmen till the end of this month to carry out the directive.

  • Abia to partner private educational institutions

    Abia to partner private educational institutions

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has expressed his willingness to partner private educational institutions to foster education in the state and beyond.

    He made this known at the 8th convocation of Gregory University, Uturu (GUU).

    Dr. Otti said: “Let us collectively strive for a harmonious collaboration between the government, educational institutions and private sector. 

    “This synergy is vital for creating an ecosystem where innovation, entrepreneurship and critical thinking thrive.”

    The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Education, Dr. Kenechukwu Nwosu, said collaborative efforts between the government and academic institutions paved the way for initiatives that transcended traditional boundaries. 

    He said partnerships are pivotal for driving innovation, research and the development of a skilled workforce, adding: “Gregory University Uturu, with its commitment to academic excellence and practical entrepreneurial training, becomes a cornerstone in shaping the future of our state.”

    Read Also: Renewing the hope of Nigerians

    Otti recalled that his administration allocated 20 per cent of the state’s 2024 budget to the education sector in recognition of the pivotal role education played in shaping the destiny of members of the society.

    “Southeast states, including Abia, consistently produce a high number of candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions. Thus, investment in the education sector becomes imperative, and our government’s commitment is commendable. 

    “This dedication aligns with the values upheld by visionary leaders like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Michael Okpara, who understood that education brought glory and honour to our people. “

    He appreciated GUU’s distinctive features, saying: “The designation of undergraduates as ‘scholars,’ a full residency policy, and a focus on practical entrepreneurial training, sets it apart in the educational landscape. The dedication to language acquisition, exchange programmes and a diverse array of academic offerings further underscore GUU’s commitment to achieving global prominence.” 

    He called on other well-meaning ‘Abians’ at home and in the diaspora to leverage the uncommon transformation going on in Abia State and the enabling environment provided in the educational sector to come forward to invest and collaborate with the government in the sector.

    Otti congratulated the graduates, who have demonstrated excellence in character and learning and urged them to make positive impact on the society.

  • Otti signs Aba Development Authority Bill into Law

    Otti signs Aba Development Authority Bill into Law

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti yesterday signed into law, the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) Bill recently passed by the House of Assembly.

    Speaking after assenting to the bill, Dr.  Otti said the establishment of the Greater Aba Development Authority is to give Aba a special focus as a commercial hub. He added: “Everyone who had followed the process of the campaigns and elections would have remembered that we have said that we needed a special focus on Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state.”

    The governor said Aba combined what many cities had individually, noting that Aba was not just a commercial zone, but also an industrial hub where “we have all sorts of light manufacturing, heavy manufacturing, micro small and medium scale businesses, trading. Virtually every street in Aba is a market. Although we are working and organising them, it is a strength we recognise.”

    Otti said: “When we invest heavily in infrastructural renewal in Aba, it is because we recognise the potential Aba has and we believe if we improve on ease of doing business, we attract a lot of businesses.” 

    He congratulated the Speaker of the House of Assembly, other lawmakers and members of the Executive Council on the passage of the bill, saying with the law, Aba’s rejuvenation had got a legal backing to bring about the needed development in the city.

    Read Also: UHC Day: Tinubu unveils plan for massive investments in health sector

    Presenting the bill earlier for the governor’s assent, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said it was passed into law by the Assembly on December 8, 2023.

    He said the Greater Development Aba Authority bill is the first bill Otti is signing into law and congratulated the governor on achieving the feat 

    The Director General of the Greater Development Aba Authority, Mr. Uche Ukeje, described the law as a special vehicle that would drive the development of Aba and realise the governor’s vision about the city. 

     Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu; Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, Luke Onyeani; Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, among other top government officials, were present at the event.

  • Otti debunks arrest of community leaders

    Otti debunks arrest of community leaders

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has debunked the arrest and detention of some youths and leaders in Aba South Local Government.

    The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Otti on Public Communication, Mr. Dodoh Okafor, in a statement yesterday, described the story making the rounds as a figment of the imagination of the purveyors of the fake news.

    Okafor, who insisted that the governor at no time ordered the arrest of the individuals, said: “Our attention has been drawn to a trending social media report wherein the authors, for whatever purpose, alleged that Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, had some young people and elders arrested after he allegedly invited them for peace talks in Umuahia. 

    Read Also: Tinubu: I won’t lose battle against bandits, terrorists

    “The fact of the matter is that Governor Otti did not at any time order the arrest of anyone or group of people in connection with any remote or immediate event before and after the launch of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road in Aba. 

    “To begin with, the majority of Ndi Abia from all clans across the state, irrespective of their cultural and religious leanings, are appreciative of Governor Otti’s resolve to rehabilitate the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road, which until its collapse in the mid-1990s, was a major hub for the sale and repair of heavy duty machinery and spare parts, serving Port Harcourt industrial complex, further consolidating Aba’s reputation as a major market for manufacturers and big businesses across the country and beyond. 

    “It is estimated that the collapse and subsequent abandonment of Port Harcourt Road by previous administrations cost the city hundreds of billions of naira in earnings, job opportunities and other missed opportunities.

    “It is unbelievable that anyone or group would wish to stand against the resolve of the Otti administration to fix that stretch of road, solve the perennial flooding problems in that part of Aba and make the environment business-friendly once again, as envisaged by the late former Governor Sam Mbakwe of old Imo State, who built the road to expand the frontiers of economic opportunities in Aba.“

  • Otti urges political leaders to end brain drain

    Otti urges political leaders to end brain drain

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has called on political leaders to make efforts to ensure that the best brains are retained in the country, saying they should not be allowed to migrate to other countries in search of greener pasture.

    Dr. Otti, who said his administration’s policies were geared towards making Abia conducive for people and businesses to thrive, spoke at the funeral service of one of Nigeria’s foremost chartered accountants, Elder Kalu Uke Kalu, at Isiugwu, Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government.

    Speaking during the service conducted by Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, at Isiugwu Central Field, Otti said Kalu was a great Nigerian, who contributed to the development of the society.

     He called on those in position of leadership, especially those occupying public offices, to learn from the legacies the deceased left behind.

    The governor said: “Today, we are here celebrating him; but as we celebrate him, we need to talk to ourselves. 

    “A lot of good men are going. We are now wondering, the best of the young people, are they here? Most of them have ‘japad’ (left the country). 

    “So, for those who are opportune to lead, we need to deliberately make efforts to attract our best people back.”

    He stressed the need to encourage the younger generation to stay back in the country as well as make efforts to bring back those who have left.

    Read Also: Otti tasks Perm Secs on cordial relationship with commissioners, others

    According to him, “when we do all the things we do in Abia, we want to attract our people that are outside, most importantly the people that are outside the shores of the state. 

    “We need to get them back, otherwise, we will get to a level where what will be left here will be the trace of the society. May it not happen to us in Jesus’ name!”

    Otti described the late Kalu, founding partner and executive director, SKOUP & Company Limited, as a friend and a mentor, one who did well in life. 

    He spoke about his humility, integrity and legacies the deceased, who died at 88, left behind. 

    Speaking about the topic, “Preciousness of Death”, Most Rev Benebo Fubara-Manuel preached from Psalm 116 verse 15, that although death may not be precious in the sight of men, in the sight of God, it is. 

    He said death is the end of a man’s assignment on earth and brings believers closer to God, the creator.

    He thanked God for a good life lived by Elder Kalu and urged the family and those he left behind to bear the loss with fortitude.

    In a funeral oration, the first son of the deceased, David, highlighted the contributions of his late father in the accounting profession, finance, academia, service to his community and the church. 

    He thanked Governor Otti and his entourage as well as other sympathisers from all walks of life for coming to identify with them at their moment of grief and prayed God to bless them. 

    The funeral attracted dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, an engineer; former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; his wife, Onari; the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Ibe Osonwa; Commissioner for Education, Prof Uche Eme-Uche; other senior government officials and traditional rulers.

  • Otti tasks Perm Secs on cordial relationship with commissioners, others

    Otti tasks Perm Secs on cordial relationship with commissioners, others

    Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has charged the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the state to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the two-day Executive Retreat organised for them by the government to sharpen their skills in order to meet the requirements of their office.

    Governor Otti gave the charge yesterday  at the ongoing retreat for the new Permanent Secretaries and Commissioners, held at PANYU Hotels, Aba.

    He enjoined the Permanent Secretaries to maintain a good working relationship with their commissioners, as well as other stakeholders in government, for a virile civil service.

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    The governor said that expectations of Abia people are very high, hence the need for the Permanent Secretaries to get themselves ready for the task ahead.

    “The most important thing which is why this retreat became necessary is that you need to get your acts together and understand how to have a seamless work environment between the commissioners and other government appointees and your staff in the Ministry.

    “It becomes important that you also have a clear understanding on how to work and relate with others because you cannot do it alone.

    “In fact, a large chunk of the job is your relationship with those you meet in office, in the Ministry, in other Ministries in the government and every other person that has a role to play in government.”

  • PDP heads for Supreme Court to challenge Otti’s Appeal Court victory

    PDP heads for Supreme Court to challenge Otti’s Appeal Court victory

    Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has headed for the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment of the three-man panel of Appeal Court that validated the election Governor Alex Otti.

    The Nation had reported that the three judges of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos last weekend dismissed appeals brought before it by candidates of the PDP, Okey Ahiwe and All Progressives Congress (APC), High Chief Ikechi Emenike, for lack of merit.

    In a unanimous decision, the three-man panel upheld the victory of Otti at the polls, saying it conformed to the Electoral Act.

    The appellate court ruled that the petitions brought by the appellants lacked merit, “as they are like a comedy skit brought to a democratic setting.”

    Read Also: Abia guber poll: PDP heads to Supreme to challenge Otti’s Appeal Court’s victory

    The court said issues of political party membership was a pre-election matter, which also fell within the jurisdiction of the political party.

    It further said since Otti joined the Labour Party, won its primary election and submitted his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he was qualified to contest.

    On the issues of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), brought by the PDP and its candidate, the Appeal Court said the appellants failed to demonstrate or link their documentary evidence to the specific parts of the case.

    PDP after reviewing the judgment, said through their Spokesman and Vice Chairman, Abia North, Abraham Amah, that it didn’t agree with the Lagos Appeal Court ruling.

    It insisted that its matter had merit, hoping that it would get favourable judgment at the Supreme Court.

  • Abia guber poll: PDP heads to Supreme to challenge Otti’s Appeal Court’s victory

    Abia guber poll: PDP heads to Supreme to challenge Otti’s Appeal Court’s victory

    The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has headed to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment of the three-man panel of Appeal Court judges that validated the election of Alex Otti as the validly elected governor of the state.

    The Nation had reported that the three-man judges of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos at the weekend dismissed appeals brought before it by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okey Ahiwe and All Progressives Congress (APC), High Chief Ikechi Emenike for lack of merit.

    In a unanimous decision, the three-man Appeal Court panel upheld the victory of Otti at the polls, saying that it conformed to the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    The appellate court ruled that petitions brought by the appellants lacked merit, as they were like “a comedy skit brought to a democratic setting”.

    The court said issues of political party membership are a pre-election matter, which also falls within the jurisdiction of the political party.

    It further said since Otti joined the Labour Party, won its primary election, and submitted his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he was qualified to contest

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    On the issues of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) brought by the PDP and its candidate, the appeal court said the appellants failed to demonstrate or link their documentary evidence to the specific parts of the case.

    However, the PDP after reviewing the judgment disclosed through their spokesman and vice chairman Abia North, Hon. Abraham Amah that it doesn’t agree with the Lagos Appeal Court ruling.

    The PDP while insisting that their matter has merit, expressed optimism that they will get favourable judgment at the Supreme Court.

  • Otti reveals plans to increase workers’ minimum wage 

    Otti reveals plans to increase workers’ minimum wage 

    Abia state governor, Alex Otti has revealed that his government was engaging with leaderships and stakeholders of various worker’s unions in the state to fashion out how to improve on the minimum wage of the state workers to align with the present economic realities.

    The governor disclosed this during the 3rd edition of his monthly media chat held in Government House, Umuahia.  

    According to him, the reason for adjusting the pay of the workers was because of the economic realities of the nation. 

    He said: “We do understand that things are a bit more difficult for the people. We are engaging with stakeholders to see how we can improve on the pay of civil servants in line with the present economic realities; where exchange rates have converged upwards and fuel subsidy has been removed and inflation is heading to 30%. 

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    “We are already working to see how we can improve on not just the minimum wage but also across the line and announcement to that effect will be made in due course.”

    Governor Otti clarified that the recently retired Permanent Secretaries and Directors would receive arrears of salaries and their gratuities due to them. 

    He also reassured of his commitment to defray pension  arrears as earlier promised.

    The governor explained that he is not living in the Government House because his predecessor commissioned an uncompleted building while the old Government House was left in a dilapidated nature. 

    He stated: “My predecessor commissioned an uncompleted building. 

    “That’s a deceit of the highest order. He didn’t need to commission it. 

    “The question to ask is , construction started with the administration of T.A Orji, why didn’t they complete it and move into it? 

    “But he waited until the twilight of his administration. When we went to inspect it, we found out that he did a fantastic job on the ground floor. It was finished well but of course it had no bedrooms. 

    “Bedrooms were on the upper floors. The upper floors was not touched in fact , the second floor was not even plastered, so why commission? 

    “So I looked at it and found that it was not ready for occupation.The whole environment was also not ready to receive a governor. 

    “The office block has been abandoned for several years. So that place was not a place anybody could live.”

    For the old Government House, the Governor explained: “Now, I came back here and also found out that the Governor’s lodge and Governor’s office  were also in dilapidated state. 

    “I made an attempt, I sent some government engineers, valuers and they came with an estimated bill for the office alone, over 550 million. 

    “I looked at it and said, if I have 550 million, I will deploy it to other sectors, I took decision to operate from my house while I take the renovations one by one as the state finances would carry.”

    On the issue of alleged spending of nine hundred and twenty seven million naira on food by his government in the third quarter, Governor Otti said that there is no truth in the allegations as it is unfounded and a hatched man’s job of individuals who are intimidated by the numerous reforms ongoing in various sectors of the state economy, 

    He said: “There is nothing like that. It was a hatched man’s job, done for a particular purpose. The truth about the matter is that it was falsehood. 

    “The actual number has been clarified and I really don’t think it is something to decipate energy over. 

    “One thing I have to say is that our government is very prudent, prudent in the way it manages the resources of the state ensuring that the state gets value for money and it would be antithetical to reason that this same government that has been virtually working with empty hand, riding on goodwill would turn round and become profligate, not under my watch.”