A former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Abia State, Dr. Agbai Eke Agbai, has commended the administration of Governor Alex Otti, describing his performance in office as exceptional and impactful.
Dr. Agbai Eke Agbai Former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Abia state.
Dr. Agbai, who served under former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and left office in 2003, made the remarks today during an exclusive interview session with National Ambassador in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
The Abiriba-born policy expert, who currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the Centre for Policy and Foreign Engagement and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, said Governor Otti came into office well prepared with a clear development agenda anchored on empirical evidence.
According to him, the infrastructural transformation witnessed across parts of the state, particularly the improved road network, has had direct impact on the lives of residents.
“Every governor comes with the intention of doing their best, but what is quite remarkable about Governor Alex Otti is that he came prepared. Even a blind man can see the level of change,” he said.
The former commissioner cited his personal experience travelling to his hometown, Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area, as evidence of the administration’s infrastructural progress.
The General Manager, Abia Newspapers and Publishing Corporation (ANPC) Umuahia, Hon. Jones Nnanna Ike (Left) and the former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Abia State, Dr. Agbai Eke Agbai (Right) during a courtesy visit to the corporation today in Umuahia Abia state
“In the past, it used to take me about one hour and fifty minutes to drive from Umuahia to Abiriba, but today I can get there in less than thirty-five minutes because of the improved road network. That is empirical evidence of development,” he stated.
Dr. Agbai also pointed to the transformation in Aba, the state’s commercial hub, noting that ongoing infrastructure and urban renewal projects have significantly improved the city’s outlook and economic activities.
Speaking on institutional reforms, he lauded efforts to reposition government institutions, particularly the Abia State-owned media establishment.
He commended the leadership of the General Manager of Abia State Newspaper and Publishing Corporation, Hon. Jones Nnanna Ike, noting that the management’s vision aligns with the governor’s broader agenda of building strong and vibrant public institutions.
On the role of the media, Agbai emphasized that journalists have the responsibility of independently verifying government policies and programmes to determine their real impact on the people.
“It is not the responsibility of a governor to grade himself. The duty of journalists is to go out, investigate and determine whether government policies are actually impacting the lives of the people,” he said.
Highlighting sectors he considers most impressive under the current administration, the former commissioner identified infrastructure, education and healthcare as key areas of progress.
According to him, the decision of the Otti administration to allocate about 20 percent of the state’s budget to education represents a strategic investment in human capital development.
“For someone like me who is an intellectual, education is very dear. When you invest heavily in education and health, you are investing in the productivity and future of the state,” he noted.
He added that the recruitment of additional teachers and the strengthening of public school infrastructure have helped improve the state’s education sector.
While acknowledging that free education also existed during the administration of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Agbai explained that the current government has gone further by strengthening the system with more teachers and improved funding.
In his words: “This approach has addressed some of the structural issues that previously discouraged parents from enrolling their children in public schools”.
On the factors behind the governor’s performance within a relatively short period in office, Agbai attributed it to Otti’s private sector background, accountability-driven governance style and freedom from political godfatherism.
“He came from the private sector where performance is measured and results are expected. That mindset has helped him restructure governance with emphasis on accountability and efficiency,” he said.
Looking ahead, the policy expert urged residents of the state to evaluate the administration based on the visible changes across the state.
“Abians should ask themselves a simple question: how was it before and how is it today? When people answer that honestly, they will know the impact that has been made,” he said.
On the legacy Governor Otti should aim to leave, Agbai said it would be premature to begin writing the governor’s legacy, noting that history is usually written after events have fully unfolded.
“History is made in advance but written in retrospect. The governor is still making that history, and it is the people who will eventually assess and write his legacy,” he added.
By Chukwuemeka Egejuru, anipr and Ekebuisi Precious
