Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has appointed and inaugurated accomplished professionals and technocrats as Chairmen, Secretaries, and Members of six strategic boards of key government agencies to drive reforms and accelerate development across critical sectors of the State.
The inaugurated boards include: Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Greater Aba Development Authority, Abia State Medicines and Commodities Management Agency, Abia State SME Microfinance Bank Ltd, Abia State Homeland Security and Abia State Advisory Council on Electricity.
Abia State Homeland Security Board is chaired by Brigadier General N.V.U Nnorom (Rtd), with five other members.
Abia State Advisory Council on Electricity is led by Dr. Sam Amadi, former NERC Chairman, with six other members.
Abia SME Microfinance Bank Ltd is headed by seasoned banker, Mr. Friday Eluwa, with five other members.
Abia Medicines and Commodities Management Agency has Chief Victor Amuta as Chairman, alongside eleven members.
Greater Aba Development Authority is chaired by industrialist, Ide John Udeagbala, with four members.
Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) is chaired by Mr. Emeka Uwakolam, also with four other members.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at Government House Umuahia, Governor Otti emphasised that the appointments were made strictly on the basis of competence and not politics or ethnicity.
The Governor noted that the newly constituted boards are expected to accelerate development across critical sectors of the State’s economy.
He expressed appreciation to the appointees for accepting the call to serve, describing many of them as outstanding Nigerians, including non-indigenes, chosen solely for their proven capacity.
“We value inclusivity over ethnicity.People who limit themselves cannot grow”,
“Some of the people we inaugurated are not from Abia State. Some of them are not even from the South East and that is what our administration is all about.
“We don’t discriminate. We seek value wherever we can find it. if you live here, if you have something to contribute, we welcome you with open arms.
” So, we have assembled these eggheads to help us in executing this transaction so that our people can have access to quality services,” Governor Otti stated.
Among the appointees is a retired general, named to head the state’s homeland security board, and Dr Sam Amadi, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), appointed to lead the Abia Electricity Advisory Council.
Governor Otti also highlighted the appointment of Pharmacist Victor Ahumada, who returned from the United States to chair a government board, emphasizing that the selections reflect a value-based approach rather than political patronage.
He lauded the leadership of various strategic agencies, including the Greater Abia Development Agency, the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, and the Abia Microfinance Bank, charging them to deliver measurable results.
“We may not afford to pay you what you’re worth, but the reward is in the legacy you will help build”, the Governor said.
Governor Otti who reaffirmed that electricity remains central to his administrations industrialization drive said, “If we don’t have power, we’ve failed, no excuses“.
He revealed that the State is close to finalising a deal to establish an independent electricity network, in eight Local Government Areas currently outside the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) grid, adding that the proposed solution will be powered by Geometric Power and renewable energy sources.
According to the Governor, Geometric’s 188MW generating capacity could be channelled into Umuahia and extended to areas like Umunneochi, thereby stimulating enterprise and unlocking the State’s economic potential.
“This is not rocket science, once power is stable, our people can think, produce, and industrialise. That’s how we build prosperity”, he said.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the newly inaugurated boards, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, expressed gratitude to the government for the trust reposed in them.
He described the appointments as both a privilege and a call to duty. “It is often said that to whom much is given, much is expected.
“We want to thank the government for this opportunity to contribute to the development of our state. It is indeed a privilege”, he said.
Monday, assured that those appointed possess the requisite expertise and are committed to the vision of the present administration.
“Our collective experience and knowledge will be deployed to advance the goals of this government”, he added.
