President Tinubu had, in an address to a distinguished audience of Igbo Leaders on Saturday, 4th January, 2025, while on an official visit to Enugu State, singled out Governor Alex Otti for praise on account of his hard work and commitment to improving the lot of the people of his State.
President Tinubu’s accolades follow a similar gale of endorsements and support from a wide spectrum of distinguished Nigerian leaders from across the political divide that includes Fmr. President Olusegun Obasanjo, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Fmr. First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, HE. Senator Adolf Wabara, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, Rtd. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, Late Ohaneze President, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Deputy Speaker, Fed. House of Rep. Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu, Dr. Greg Ibe, Chief Mark Wabara, Fmr. Deputy Gov. Rt. Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, Chief B.B Apugo, Dr. Uche Ogah, Dr. Dan Okeke, and many others across the country. Indeed, The Gov. Otti’s administration achievements in Abia State have transformed the State from its pre-May 29th, 2023 Status as one of the least developed States in Nigeria to the fastest developing State makes it difficult to accord any other person other than the hardworking Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, the commemorative yearly recognition as the National Ambassador Man of the Year. Governor Alex Otti was powered into office with his peculiar electioneering mantra to Abians “Weep No More, Help is on the way”. Since coming into office, he has translated that mantra into reality by working hard to establish a good governance structure in the state; the aftermath has been the uncommon transformation of the State into what is now regarded as “The New Abia”.
The success of the new good governance structure inevitably warrants closer scrutiny in order to understand its fundamental characteristics.
“Governor Alex Otti, A Hardworking, Disciplined, And Innovative Leader, Is Our Man Of The Year”
Hard Work As An Essential Character Of The New Governance Structure.
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has signed the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) Bill into law.
One of the most essential characters of a good governance structure which may not be found in any conventional text book on politics or business is hard work. Governor Otti’s other name may perhaps be regarded as “Mr. hard work”. Both friends and foes acknowledge this unique attribute of the able Governor.
Gov. Otti hardly catches up to four hours sleep in a day. His boundless energy, good health and hard work has impacted statecraft positively to such an extent that all other State officials seek to meet up with his quick pace & boundless energy.
The hard work which the governor has imbued statecraft with as a most essential ingredient has ensured that projects and policies are achieved within specified timelines.
The numerous projects being churned out regularly are all by-products of this unique character of a good governance structure that Governor Otti has imbued the State with.
Restoration Of The Merit-Based Principle In Governance
One of the most significant character trait of the good governance system which Governor Alex Otti has achieved in Abia State is the restoration of the merit principle as an essential attribute of statecraft.
Right from the beginning of his tenure, Governor Otti has kept faith with this principle. It is this principle that informed the recruitment of brilliant professionals who had distinguished themselves in diverse fields to manage critical sectors of the Abia MDA’s. The religious execution of this principle without regard to ethnicity, class or gender has helped in the running of a smart and good governance structure in Abia State. The delivery of numerous projects within agreed time lines are all by products of this new good governance structure in Abia State.
Accountability, Transparency And Due Process As An Essential Character Of The Good Governance Structure.
Dr. Oluebube Chukwu, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Due Process and the Public Procurement Bureau
There is an aphorism that you cannot eat your cake and have it back. It is the same way in governance. You cannot be stealing public funds meant for development and still have funds to power development.
Governor Otti has been able to power Abia’s development to unprecedented new heights because nobody is stealing the funds meant for development. For the first time in several decades, the governor’s approval translates to immediate payment. The governor has given further teeth to this policy by directing the Accountant General to ensure that payments within her table are effected within a 72-hour period. This timeline is quite unprecedented in the country. Such policy is working because there are funds available to power the policy. Nobody is stealing the public funds. The rats eating into public coffers have been chased away for good.
Additionally, the Due Process Office has been empowered to ensure transparency, openness and fairness in the Public Procurement Process thereby ensuring that public procurement in Abia State are carried at the best possible costs. It is also good to note that strict adherance to budgetary allocations has been the most significant character of the Gov. Otti’s administration.
An All-inclusive Approach To Governance
One other essential attribute of Governor Otti’s Good Governance structure that has been established in Abia State is its quality of inclusion. This approach has entailed the even distribution of political positions across all sections and gender to such an extent that allegations of marginalization of sections has now been consigned to the dustbin of history.
It is equally good to note that the good governance structure that has been installed in Abia is gender friendly. For the first time in the history of the State, a lot of women have been empowered to play critical roles in the development of the State.
Mrs. Njum Uma-Onyemenam, Abia State Accountant General
In fact, such active offices like Accountant-General of the State; Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Chairman, Primary Education Board; Commissioner, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation; DG, State; Orientation Agency, Chairman, Hospitals Management Board; CMD, Abia Specialist Hospital Aba; Several Special Advisers/Assistants Positions are all manned by women. Women occupy 75% of the Permanent Secretary’s position in Abia State.
Prof. (Mrs) Ijeoma Nduka, Chief Medical Director, Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba
It is equally important to note the absolute fidelity to the Weekly meetings of the State Executive Council and the Monthly meetings of the Expanded Executive Council involving all Appointees of the Governor. This all-inclusive approach to governance established by Governor Alex Otti has helped to ensure a participatory system of governance by all its top officials as solutions are collectively proffered to identified problems, as well as setting time lines for delivery of policies and projects.
Absolute Fidelity To The Payment Of Workers Salary Before The 28th Day Of Every Month
ABIA WORKERS COMMEND GOV OTTI FOR KEEPING TO PROMPT PAYMENT OF SALARIES, SAY, ‘WE’RE HAPPY’
“A Worker deserves his wage” so says the Holy Book.
This divine injunction was mostly breached in the immediate past years before the coming into power of Gov. Alex Otti.
In those infamous era, the payment of workers’ salaries was characterized by a great deal of arbitrariness. It was to stem the tide, that informed Governor Otti’s declaration that workers will be paid on or before the 28th day of every month during his inauguration into office on May 29th 2023. Since then his administration has kept faith to this declaration by ensuring that workers emoluments are paid on or before the 28th day of every month.
The administration has stepped up to ensure that all other forms of entitlements and allowances are paid the Abia Workers.
Such absolute fidelity to the payment of workers salary and entitlements has helped to enhance workers morale and enthusiasm for work. This situation has no doubt contributed significantly to the efficient delivery of government services.
Absolute Fidelity to the payment of workers salary is one of the characteristic of a good government system.
Recovery Of Government Assets
Panel on recovery of stolen Abia govt property submits report to Otti
One other character of a good government system is a determination to recover stolen government assets and discourage pilfering of government assets.
Governor Otti has shown an uncommon courage and determination to recover stolen government assets and also discouraged pilfering of public property by setting up a State Panel on The Recovery of Government funds and Assets that was Chaired by Justice Mrs. Duruoha (rtd).
In the same manner, the Gov. Otti’s administration in 2024 also set up a Visitation Panel on Abia State University.
All these efforts are geared towards the recovery of stolen public assets as well as discourage corrupt conducts in our public institutions and hence qualify as an attribute of a good governance system which incumbent Governor Alex Otti has labored to establish in the State.
“Governor Alex Otti, A Hardworking, Disciplined, And Innovative Leader, Is Our Man Of The Year”
A Repositioned Civil Service.
Governor Otti Reopens Newly Retrofitted Nnamdi Azikiwe State Secretariat
Gov. Otti has worked very hard to rebuild the State Civil Service as an instrument for the quick and efficient delivery of goods and services. He has tried to achieve this feat through the following ways: (a) A strong emphasis on the merit-based principle in the recruitment, promotion and disciplinary exercises in the service (b) An aggressive rebuilding and retrofitting of public sector housing infrastructure and (c) A relentless war on Ghost Workers, Absenteeism, truancy and lateness to work in the Public Sector
One notable character of the Abia labour force before the coming into office of Governor Otti was the intolerable level of indiscipline, corruption, and other malfeasances.
Governor Otti, earlier in his tenure, decided to stem the tide by waging a relentless war against these agents of a bad governance system. Several verification exercises were conducted to fish out ghost workers.
Heads of MDA’s were issued directives to ensure that their workers resume on time and to sanction other various acts of indiscipline.
Today, Abia work force is a smart one. The Abia workers are major contributors to the establishment of a good governance structure in the State.
The Institution Of A Direct Labour Mechanism
One other unique structure which Governor Alex Otti established that has enhanced the quick delivery of services at the most cost-effective way is the establishment of direct labour mechanism in some agencies that deal directly with the provision of physical infrastructure. Such unique mechanism has resulted in the efficient, fast and cost-effective delivery of goods and services in Abia State.
The most notable amongst the agencies that have applied this mechanism in the quick delivery of goods and services includes the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Lands and Housing and the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) amongst others.
The philosophy behind the institution of the “direct labour mechanism” in Abia State was well captured in a remarkable speech made by one of its chief advocates, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing during the re-opening of the old secretariat complex on 26th November, 2024, when he alluded to the use of the mechanism in delivering the renovation and retrofitting of the Secretariat Complex.In his own words “Another valuable aspect of the story is the use of the State in-house resources, its civil servants, via direct labour to actualize this enviable project, thus deepening the capacity of the State’s Structural Engineers, Builders, Architects and Quantity Surveyors, while also saving the State resources, and still delivers quality projects. Mr. Chukwumerije went further in his speech to summarize the philosophical basis of the mechanism by using biblical injunctions thus “As the Holy Bible says in Isaiah 58:12 “You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again”.
Physical Manifestations Of The Good Governance System In Abia
Abia State is now regarded as a huge construction site.
Most government officials are now known by their busy schedules and haste to deliver quality goods and services. Indeed, numerous projects have been delivered since the coming into power of Dr. Alex Otti on May 29th 2023.
Such goods and services have been delivered at such quick pace and at a most cost-effective manner that leaves many observers quite bewildered.
However, a scientific analysis of the Governor Otti’s method as has been shown in the preceding sections indicates that they are not mere happenstances. The fast development of Abia State is due to a systematic effort and well thought out plans. An effort and plan that is backed by extreme hard work, discipline and absolute fidelity to the public good. All these have been categorized as the good governance structure in Abia State. The projects and services that have been delivered with their quick pace and quality are all by-products of this good governance system establishment by Governor Alex Otti and his team.
Since there are legions of such projects, we can only select few examples which roughly falls within the sectors that Governor Otti declared an Emergency on, when he assumed office on May 29th 2023.
1. Sanitation
Governor Alex Otti Monitors Abia Community Cleanup
Sanitation was one of the sectors which Governor Alex Otti declared as emergency when he started his tenure. Then, the State was overtaken by filth. Most of the urban roads were overrun by filth and refuse. Dr. Otti personally drove the machine that was used to start the war on filth.
Today, the beginning of the year 2025, the war has been won. The cleanliness of the streets of Abia is now taken for granted, as a normal way of life. It has taken a lot of efforts to achieve this status as a very clean State and perhaps a lot more effort to keep it that way.
2. Roads & Bridges
OTTI FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF 19.1KM ROAD, TARGETS ENHANCED ECONOMY
This sector is another one that attracted the immediate attention of Governor Otti when he came to power on May 29th 2023. The reason was simple, Abia roads both intra and intercity were characterized by a great deal of dilapidation. In fact, Abia State was notorious for its bad roads, just as it was also the butt of jokes by several people both in and outside the State. In fact, by May 29th 2023, Abia had acquired infamy as the state with the worst network of roads in the country.
This was what informed a declaration of an emergency in the sector.
Presently, the song is different. An adroit combination of both the direct labour mechanism and contract system has resulted in the delivery of several quality intra-city, intercity and rural feeder roads. One other notable character of the roads being constructed by Governor Otti is that they are of very high quality and come with drainage, street lights and beautiful roundabouts.
Emelogu Road, one of the three roads just reconstructed and commissioned by the Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, on Friday 15th September, 2023. The road is fitted with solar lights.
As at last count, more than 400 of such roads have been delivered, many more are still in various stages of construction.
One other notable character of the Otti roads is that the most problematic of such roads have been contracted out to the best contractors in the country. Both foreign and indigenous contractors as well as the technical team of the State Ministry of Works are all very active in the construction of roads in the state.
3. The Health Sector
Governor Otti appreciates the overriding importance of health-care in the human development index, hence its inclusion in the list of emergencies when he was inaugurated into office. It will be recalled that the health sector in Abia prior to May 29th, May 2023, was in a deplorable state. There was no functional State owned tertiary health institution in Abia. The Abia State Teaching Hospital lost its accreditation during that inglorious era. Most residents of the state trooped outside the State to access quality health care services. Governor Otti had vowed a reversal of the trend. Currently, the reversal is being achieved at a very fast pace due to the attention and investment being expended on the health sector. Currently, the State Government has up to 35% of its budgetary provision devoted to the Health Sector.
Gov Otti Inspecting Facilities At The Abia Specialist Teaching Hospital, Aba
There is an ongoing comprehensive renovation of over 200 health centres across the three senatorial zones of the State. The health initiative, code named “Project Ekwueme“ which was launched by Gov. Otti in Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area on Monday January 20th, 2025, is a very robust and comprehensive health care package aimed at rebuilding and functionalizing of 200 PHC’s across the State’s 184 wards within 100 days as well as significantly improving access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural communities. Earlier in his tenure, Governor Alex Otti had enabled the Abia Teaching Hospital to regain its accreditation thereby restoring the teaching of medical officers by the institution. This is in addition to a massive investment in its infrastructure which is aimed at transforming it into a first-class health facility. The same gesture was extended to the Abia State Specialist Hospital, Umuahia and Amachara General Hospital, all of which were renovated and retrofitted. The same was the case of the Aba General Hospital as well as the General Hospital Umuahia.
Abia Specialist Teaching Hospital, AbaThe renovations included the equipping of various department such as the Eye Clinic, now comparable to the best facilities anywhere in the country, General Outpatient Department, Accident and Emergency Departments etc. The equipment of these tertiary, secondary and Primary health facilities continue to be an ongoing concern enabling them in the process to perform complex tasks like Bone Marrow transplant as well as other complex surgeries.
“Governor Alex Otti, A Hardworking, Disciplined, And Innovative Leader, Is Our Man Of The Year”
One other notable achievement in the health sector is the attraction and commissioning of a State of the art multipurpose hospital in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of the State. The facility was built through the office of The Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs). The 100-bed facility is equipped with World-class Medical equipment and Services aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality. Governor Otti’s commitment to revitalizing the state’s Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Health Care facilities is aimed at not only reducing the burden of disease prevalence in the State but also ensuring that the citizens have unhindered access to quality healthcare in their various communities which would in turn considerably eliminate the need for residents to travel outside the State for Medicare. There have also been free medical missions carried out by several International charity organisation in conjunction with the State Ministry of Health, all of which have helped to improve access to medicare for several citizens. Governor Otti’s achievement in the health sector is no doubt a major contributor to enhanced standard of living which the citizens of the State now enjoy.
4. Education Sector
The Education Sector was one of such sectors that benefitted from an emergency declaration when Governor Alex Otti assumed office. Since then, a lot of efforts have gone into rebuilding the sector, the latest being the free, compulsory education for all children of school age now operational in the State. The free and compulsory primary and secondary education policy makes it a punishable offence for any parent of a school age child not to enroll the child in school.
Currently, Abia State Government has 25% of its budgetary provisions devoted to education. Such provision is one of the highest in the country. Since assumption of office, Governor Alex Otti has devoted considerable effort and resources towards improving the education sector. It is also worthy to note that it is the reform in the sector that informed the separation of the Education Ministry into The Basic and Tertiary Ministries in other to enhance their effectiveness.
Governor Otti’s administration has over the past 19 months devoted considerable energy and resources to the sector in other to enable it play its role as the engine room of Human Capital Development. The reforms of the sector have also led to the appointment of very top professionals to man the various tertiary education institutions in the State namely: The Abia State University, Uturu, the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba, the Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu and the College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, Aba.
GOV. OTTI COMMISSIONS ABIA FIRST SMART SCHOOL
The above tertiary educational facilities are doing well just as other institutions in the State that has witnessed Governor Alex Otti’s “Midas Touch”
5. Security
Pre-May 29th 2023, Abia State was also renowned for its high crime rate. Violent crimes like kidnapping, armed robbery, theft and other crimes were common.
The Cattle Market at Umunneochi, served as the logistics headquarters for criminals who operated freely in the Umunneochi/Isiukwuato axis of the State as well as the fringe areas of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi State, making life very difficult in those areas.
It was this sad state of affairs that informed the inclusion of Security as one of the sectors that benefitted from an emergency declaration. Governor Otti vowed to make Abia one of the safest states in the country. The Governor has since walked his talk.
New vehicles purchased by Gov. Otti for “Operation Crush Project”
The Governor achieved the feat of securing the state through two main Policy Actions.
The first was the establishment of the “Operation Crush” while the second was the demolition and re-organization of the Umunneochi Cattle Market.
These two policy actions plus a steady and bold determination to stem crime in the state has led to a drastic drop in crime rate as it affects Abia.
Today, while crime is a major problem in several states of the Federation, the rate keeps getting lower in Abia thereby making it, one of the safest in the country.
An efficient security system has been put in place in Abia and this has in turn guaranteed a safer environment for both people and businesses to thrive.
The achievement of a much more secured environment ranks as one of the physical manifestation of a good governance system that is in place in Abia State.
6. Lands And Housing
Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, Hon. Commissioner for Lands & Housing
The activities of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, places it as one of the best examples of the physical manifestations of the good governance system in Abia State.
The Ministry has ensured a seamless acquisition of large hectares of Land for the numerous projects that is scattered in different parts of the State. Examples of such acquisitions includes the ones for the Abia Innovative and Industrial Park Owaza; the Abia Medical City, Mbawsi, the Airport Project at Ubaha Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North, and numerous other lands for Housing Developments.
Additionally, the reform in the Ministry has led to the policy of issuance of C of O within a 30 days period thus ensuring ease of land acquisition in the State.
The Ministry also spearheaded the aggressive rehabilitation and reconstruction of numerous public-sector buildings as well as their retrofitting. Most of such public-sector buildings were hitherto in various stages of dilapidation.
Some of such renovated and retrofitted buildings includes the State Secretariat Complex; the Old State Secretariat Complex; the Commissioners Quarters, Michael Okpara Auditorium, several buildings inside the Government House Complex, the Ministry of Agriculture Complex; Abia Newspapers and Publishing Corporation Complex, the Law Reform Commission Building, and several others.
7. The Uncommon Transformation Of Aba Metropolis
The deplorable condition of Enyimba City compelled its listing as one of the sectors that deserved special attention. Dr. Alex Otti vowed severally in the past to rebuild the city into a modern centre of Trade, Industry and Tourism.
The Governor has within his short period in office devoted considerable time and energy towards rebuilding the once famed city into a modern one.
The administration has executed numerous road projects in the city that has once again made both intra and inter-city navigation within the city a less stressful experience. It is particularly worthy to note that such roads include very important inter-city connecting roads that had been abandoned for more than 30 years like Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku Road, Omuma Road, Ekeapara-Owerrinta Road, Ndoki Road, and Ehi Road. It is also important to note the engagement of such construction giants like Julius Berger in the construction of these roads. The Otti’s Roads are of high quality and comes along with drainage, street lights and beautiful roundabouts.
Otti’s “Midas Touch” in Aba is increasingly transforming the city into a modern centre of trade, industry and tourism.
The transformation that is being witnessed in Aba is not restricted to the building of roads, drainage, street lights and round-about. It cuts across different sectors like, health, education, electricity supply, markets remodeling etc. It is also expected that the 5-Star Hotel that is being proposed at the Enyimba Hotel site will greatly transform the tourism landscape of the City.
This is just as it is good to note that the commercial, industrial and tourism activities of the city will get immense boost from the Ongoing Airport Project at Ubaha Nsulu Ngwa.
It is also good to acknowledge the contributions of the Governor Otti administration towards the completion of the Geometric Power Plant as well as the Federal Government owned Alaoji Power Plant. Both plants have been built to supply and sustain an uninterrupted power supply to Aba and Abia State respectively.
Perennial electricity challenges had over decades hampered sustainable growth of small and medium-scale enterprises.
The successful operation of the two generating plants is expected to address the challenges of power supply. It is also important to note that one of Governor Otti’s most important structural plans towards the rebuilding of the Enyimba City was the establishment and enactment into Law of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA)as a Permanent Institution to guide the ordered development and growth of Aba into a Mega City.
GADA has since been making robust contributions towards the rebuilding of Aba.
Indeed, a modern Enyimba City is gradually sprouting out of the ruined city. Such gradual emergence of a modern City out of the old dilapidated one, is one of the physical manifestation of a good governance system that has been erected in Abia State by Governor Otti’s administration.
8. Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA)
Ohafia, the capital of Abia North Senatorial Zone has been penciled down for a complete transformation through the establishment of Greater Ohafia Development Authority. The Agency which is headed by a very brilliant and established professional Engr Obinna Odum is expected to provide a guided development of the fast-growing town into a smart and modern city in line with Governor Otti’s vision for Abia State. In a nutshell, brilliant and innovative Governor Alex Otti has driven Abia State from its once reckoning as one of the least developed States to the fastest developing one in Nigeria under a period of less than two years. This is quite an uncommon feat. He has in the process wiped away the age long tears of a once beleaguered people. The able Governor by so doing also restored their pride and hope for the future.
It is this feat that informs the commemorative conferment on him as the National Ambassador Man of the Year.
