Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has charged the one thousand graduates of the Abia Leadership Academy to remain role models and good ambassadors of the Academy by proffering solutions to challenges wherever they find themselves.
Governor Otti gave the charge while declaring closed the 2025 and first Abia Leadership Academy training held at the Government College, Umuahia, which trained and graduated 1,000 youths in leadership and mentorship.
In his address tiitled “Role Models and Pathfinders“, the Governor reminded the graduands that true leadership is measured by impact.
“Your success depends on the lives you change, the new ideas you inspire, and the courage you instil in future generations”, Gov Otti said.
The Governor explained that the founding philosophy of the Abia Leadership Academy is rooted in the belief that leaders are made through mentorship and conscious decisions to stand out from the crowd.
He congratulated the graduates for successfully scaling through the rigorous and intensive training and expressed optimism that they would individually and collectively return to their communities to ignite the fire of self-discovery among their peers.
“I want to specially congratulate the 1,000 of you who have successfully scaled through the rigorous and intense programs of the academy over the past four weeks.
“I am optimistic that individually and collectively, you shall return to your communities to ignite the fire of self-discovery in your peers.
“The State has invested princely sums in your training, but that will be a great bargain if you commit to living out and sharing all you have learned within your sphere of influence.
“Our conviction is that 1,000 of you can start off a movement that will change the destiny of millions. My challenge to you will be to go and make great leaders of yourselves, family members and friends, for that is the only way to show your gratitude for the opportunity the state has offered you”, he said.
Governor Otti announced that he has directed the Secretary to the State Government, to establish a digital alumni community for graduates of the Academy.
According to him, the platform will provide continuing mentorship, identify those qualified for further training opportunities, and facilitate discussions within and outside the country.
“We are not just going to let you wander off without support. Our eyes shall be on all of you, and from time to time.
“Many of you shall be invited to special domain functions for learning and exposure. You are the future of Abia, and we shall nurture and continually prepare you for the responsibilities of leadership”, the Governor assured.
Governor Otti while highlighted the vision of the initiative, said it was primarily set up to give a 360-degree view of leadership to all who pass through it, provide intelligent answers to practical life question, offer clarity through shared experiences of mentors, and redirecting those who may have missed their way to the path of self-rediscovery and fulfilment.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Abia Leadership Academy organising committee and SSG, Professor Kenneth Kalu, commended Governor Otti for establishing the leadership programme.
He noted the the programme has positively reshaped the beliefs, knowledge, and skills of the young people and urged the graduands to integrate all they had learnt into their daily lives.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission and member of the organising committee, Pastor Enoh Jerry-Eze, described the programme as a strong foundation for an enduring tradition of grooming and empowering young leaders.
According to her, the Academy has demonstrated that “leadership is not a privilege reserved for a select few, but an opportunity that must be democratised and extended to all young people who dare to dream and commit to serve.
Pastor Jerry-Eze who noted that the graduates have been grounded in values of integrity, empathy, discipline, service, creativity, resilience, and empowered to think outside the box in providing innovative solutions to complex problems, urged them to apply them as they step forward to influence their schools, communities and the world.
Some participants who spoke to Journalists including, Obioma Onwuchekwa and Samuel Samson noted that the programme has transformed them into critical thinkers and effective problem solvers, instilled discipline, and prepared them for leadership.
They thanked Governor Otti for envisioning the Academy, which they said has groomed them into potential leaders.
The ceremony, which was attended by the Deputy Governor, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu and other top government officials, featured the donation of 150 foldable seats, 150 foldable tables, mattresses, and other items procured during the training to the Government College, Umuahia.
