Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Wednesday presented the trophy of the 2025 Pastor Laz and Rose Otti Memorial Football Tournament to Umuehim Football Club, winners of the competition, as the people of Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, marked the Ehi La Uguru Day Celebration 2025.
The event, held at the Umuehim Primary School football field, was themed “Celebrating Our Heritage, Unity and Progress” and attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders and sports enthusiasts from across the State.
While handing over the trophy, Governor Otti congratulated all the teams that participated in the tournament, describing sports as a vital tool for fostering unity, youth development and communal harmony.
Flanked by Dr Alex Alozie and former Super Eagles star, Kenneth Omeruo, the Governor directed that both the winners and runners-up should immediately receive the cash prizes attached to the competition.
He also challenged Umuehim FC to defend the title next year.
Governor Otti further assured that every participating team would be appreciated as a means of encouraging grassroots sports development, and commended the organisers for honouring the memories of distinguished sons and daughters of Nvosi.
He said the gesture aligned with his administration’s commitment to celebrating Abians who had made sacrifices for the progress of the State.
“We will keep recognising people who have struggled and suffered for this State”, the Governor declared.
Governor Otti also announced that the State Government would, on January 1, 2026, celebrate the late nationalist and elder statesman, Chief Jaja Wachuku, as part of efforts to preserve Abia’s historical legacy.
The Governor announced that the fencing of Umuehim Primary School, the venue of the celebration, would be completed before the end of January 2026.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Ehi La Uguru Day Celebration, Pastor Odoemelam Nwaru, said Governor Otti had no serious challenger ahead of the 2027 governorship election, noting that the Governor’s performance had earned him widespread acceptance.
He said that “this is the time God wants Dr Otti to lead and save Abia State”, and assured that the people of the area were solidly behind the Governor.
Speaking on behalf of the Planning Committee, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Dr Obioma Nwaogbe, thanked Governor Otti for what he described as transformational projects across Abia State, which he said had brought pride to the people of Nvosi.
Dr Nwaogbe noted that the Governor had fulfilled his promise to fix the Ehi La Uguru–Umunkpeyi Road, including the installation of streetlights, and expressed appreciation for the ongoing reconstruction of the Umunkpeyi–Amaiyi Road.
He also commended the introduction of electric buses now operating on various routes across the State.
Also speaking, elder statesman Dr Gershon Amuta reaffirmed the support of Ehi La Uguru, Isialangwa South and the entire Ngwa nation for Governor Otti’s administration, praying for divine guidance and assuring him of victory in 2027.
Highlights of the event included special prayers offered by Ndi Eze Ngwa, led by the First Deputy Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Nelson Nmerengwa, as well as the presentation of 26 books authored by a 14-year-old prodigy, Uchegbue Joseph Chimgozirim, to the Governor.
Dignitaries at the event included Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Rowland Dennis, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, among others.
