National Ambassador News - Nigeria News, Politics, Sports...

Reading John Okiyi Kalu’s aka Nwandugbom or JOK revisionism with the title “Between Peter Mba and Alex Otti: When Experience Makes A Difference” which contained several lies ,concocted figures and evil thoughts did once again throw one into deep thoughts about the evil master minds that dished out lies and painted glorious pictures of the State while it was being looted under the Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu infamous regime. For the untutored, John Okiyi Kalu was the Chief Propagandist of the Ikpeazu regime as the Commissioner of Information of that infamous era. One thought that came to my mind on reading that trash was to ignore it as it was not worth the paper on which it was written but it is often said that lies repeated severally often acquires the semblance of truth. It is this axiom that informs this rejoinder. The summary of JOK assumptions in the said article was that the Enugu State 2024 Budget proposals which he watched on TV according to him has turned Enugu State into an Eldorado. He limped from there to do a hatchet job of dishing out fictitious figures about Abia State public expenditure as well as a feeble attempt at a comparative analysis of the six month old administration with past administrations in Enugu State. He went further to cast aspersions on the personality of Dr. Alex Otti. The main kernel of the distasteful write up was to denigrate and insult the Government of Abia State as well as the personality of His Excellency Dr Alex Chioma Otti. The curious thing about John Okiyi’s half-baked and ignorant treatise is that he did not mention any of the past government of Abia State in his comparison with Enugu State or the personalities involved. Again, JOK displayed crass ignorance about Public Policy Analysis basic principles when he failed to understand that objective research data is usually the basis of such comparative analysis he set out to do and not information that is derived from Budget proposals that one watched on Television Sets. Research efforts based on verifiable Budget Performance is usually the basis of such comparative analysis in Public Policy Analysis. How well a government has done or is doing is derived from verifiable facts and figures and not imaginary and concocted figures. Again, his escapist tendency to compare previous Enugu State Governments with the Present one in Abia would have made more sense if he did such comparison with their past counterparts in Abia including the one he served as the Propaganda Chief. JOK comparisons has no tail or head. It was a concocted tale of an evil mastermind whose mission was to bring into disrepute the popular performing Governor of Abia State or at worst bring confusion and bickering between the people and Government of the two sister States of Enugu and Abia State who have for long enjoyed very peaceful and cordial relationships irrespective of partisan differences. It must be stated however that both the Governor and people of Abia State have deep respect for their Enugu State counterpart and there has always existed a very cordial relationship between the two sister states and their Governors. I can equally assert that nothing will break this cordial relationship. Not even the evil thoughts and machinations of characters like the said John Okiyi Kalu. Be that as it may, it is good to put Dr. Alex Otti’s ascendancy and performance in office in its proper context. Dr. Otti’s inauguration into office on May 2023 could be metamorphically be likened to Chinua Achebe’s tragic hero “Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart” who started out in life with nothing due to the character failure of his father “Unoka” who was a drunkard and a lazy man whom Achebe would describe thus “in his days, he was a lazy and an improvident man and quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow”. Achebe further categorized Unoka thus “if any money came his way as it seldom did, he immediately bought gourds of palm wine, called round neighbors and made merry. Unoka was of course a debtor and owed every neighbor some money, from a few cowries to quite substantial amounts. That was years ago when he was poor and his wife and children had barely enough to eat. People laughed at him because he was a loafer and they swore never to loan him any money because he never seldom paid back”. The net effect of Unoka’s physical and mental altitude was that his family was plunged into poverty and people laughed at them and his son Okonkwo started life from ground zero. It its exactly this Achebe fabled scenario in “Things Fall Apart” that played out in Abia’s recent political history. A State that is rich in human and material resources was plunged into debt and abject poverty and made a laughing stock due to the mental and physical laziness of its rulers. The tragic thing about the Abia situation is that it is the jesters and evil master minds like John Okiyi Kalu and Eze Chikamnayo who dished out lies and painted glorious picture of achievements as the information commissioners while the state was being looted. However, it is often the case that every day is for the thief and one day is for the owner of the house. In Abia the day of reckoning was 22nd April when Dr. Alex Otti, their chief nemesis was announced as the winner of the Governorship Election. Dr Alex Otti like his literary metaphor “Okonkwo” inherited nothing on assumption of office. Rather what he inherited were humongous debt and a government whose activities had long been grounded by the mental and physical laziness of his predecessors. In fact as at May 29th 2023 when Dr Otti was inaugurated into office, all the government offices in Abia State were under locks and keys as a result of the strike action embarked upon by public sector workers on account of salary arears amounting to over N70B that was owed to them. Most of the physical infrastructure of the state were all at various stages of decay and dilapidation. Most state contractors had pulled out of sites on account of debts owed to them. His Excellency Dr Alex Otti started from ground zero and it is against this background that any objective assessment of his six-month-old regime can be based rather than a nebulous comparism with the budgetary estimate of a sister government in a far away Enugu State. The truth of the matter is that His Excellency Dr Alex Chioma Otti has fully overhauled and reset the governance structure in the state since his assumption of office in May 29th 2023. His promise of paying public sector workers on the 28th of every month has been kept just as well as he is gradually tackling the backlog of salary arrears of the workers. It is also good to recall that Dr Alex Otti is not only very prudent in the management of the public treasure but also has imbued government processes with a lot of transparency and openness. Perhaps one of his greatest achievements may yet be reckoned to be his recruitment pattern into the top echelon of the Public Service where he has recruited top professionals from diverse fields to manage critical sectors of the Government. Governor Otti with his able managers has so far ensured that public policies and executions are conducted in ways that ensure not only quick service delivery but also that government procurement is achieved at minimal costs. Such innovative and prudent strategy has ensured the flourishing of the once moribund Government Ministries and Parastatals. In fact, the enthronement of transparency and due process in public sector procurement has ensured that the Abia public derives maximum benefit from government procurement activities. The resetting of all government tools by the Dr. Alex Otti administration has occasioned a quantum leap in the development of Abia State. This fact can be attested by a few significant checklists. All the internal roads in the major streets of Aba and Umuahia which were at various stages of dilapidation are now undergoing rehabilitation through the direct labour policy of the state government with its policy of “Zero Tolerance For Pot Holes”. This is just the same way that major arteries and link roads have been contracted out to reputable contractors who are delivering same at agreed time schedules. As at date, no state government in Nigeria can match Abia State in the quantity and quality of roads delivered and commissioned under the administration of Dr. Alex Otti within these past six months. This is also the same way that the hospital systems are being rehabilitated and wearing new looks. It is equally important to note that the free medical services being offered to people on weekends is still ongoing and have helped to ensure that a lot more people have access to quality healthcare. The “Light Up The City Project” which has led to the lightening up of our once dark cities of Aba and Umuahia is still progressing at a good speed. It is also good to mention that there has been an aggressive rehabilitation of public sector buildings and equipment of same in other to provide conducive atmospheres for government workers to carry their duties. This is a significant feat if we recall that most government buildings were at various stages of decay before may 29th 2023 due to neglect. Again, any one driving around the major streets of Umuahia and Aba and seeing how clean they appear may not remember that just six months ago, these cities were characterized by refuse and filth that filled out all its nooks and crannies. Dr Alex Otti has also been aggressive in laying the foundation of a meaningful industrialization drive in the State. The commissioning of the Abia Innovative and Industrial Park at Owaza and putting in place structures that will enhance “Ease of Doing Business” are just some of the measures that have seen the influx of Investors into the State. Indeed, Dr. Alex Otti has engineered a renaissance in Abia which has made the State the number one investment destination centre in Nigeria. All these feats have been made possible because of the transparency and honesty which has characterized government business since Dr Alex Otti assumed duty as the Abia State Chief Servant. The Governor himself leads through personal examples of hard work, humility, Christian Chastity, diligence, honesty, sacrifice and efficient deployment of scarce state resources. However, the likes of John Okiyi Kalu and his ilk who milked the State dry are blinded by these self-evident facts. They deliberately refuse to acknowledge all these positive developments. They are blinded by their evil thoughts. They had since loosing power engaged in acts that will undermine the Dr. Otti’s led achievement through various frivolous litigations and cheap propaganda. They will fail as it has been ordained by the divine powers that liberated Abia State from their iron grip through the Leadership of His Excellency Dr Alex Otti and The Labour Party. However, the times and the wicked machinations of the dark forces that held Abia State down for several decades calls for greater vigilance amongst Abians. The liberation which Abians are currently enjoying and which came through the blood and sweat of several patriots some of whom paid the supreme price should not been taken for granted. Abians should be vigilant and learn from the admonitions of the first Israeli Prime Minster Ben Gurion when he warned the Israelites in the twilight of their declaration of the Jewish State in May 1948 thus: “as Jews and more so as Zionist, we must forgo facile optimism and barren despondency. Basic fact are our allies. The tragedy of the Jews, the desolation of the land with it, our creativity. They have brought us thus far” And I will add to this admonition by stating that the struggle to liberate Abia State from the kleptomaniacs that held her down for several years took several years to achieve. Those who looted the State are still prodding around with their ill-gotten wealth angling for opportunities to scuttle the monumental developments that is ongoing and which has been engineered by Dr Alex Otti. Abians must resist them no matter what form they raise their head. They are a desperate lot and the times calls for greater vigilance amongst our people. I will end this write-up by abbreviating a favorite refrain that was popular during the civil war and which made a lot of impression on my young mind then and it goes thus: “Onye ndi iro gbara gburugburu neche ndu ya nche mgbe nile” Umu Abia, Unu e hikwala Ura. Hon. Jones Nnanna Ike General Manager/Editor in Chief Abia Newspaper & Publishing Corporation

Features

Breaking the Bias of Indigeneity in Abia State Civil Service

Amarachi UzoukwuDecember 26, 2024

The civil service in Abia State has always played a key role in carrying out government policies and driving development. However, for years, it…

News

Jubilation As Igwruta Community Gets New Transformer From Gov Fubara At Xmas

National Ambassador..December 26, 2024

There was jubilation in Rivers community as the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, delivered a life-changing gift to the people of Igwruta in Ikwerre…

Events News

Champion Breweries Plc Launches Canned Products

Lovina EmoleDecember 25, 2024

Champion Breweries Plc has announced the launch of its Champion Lager Beer and Champ Malta in a can format. A statement by the company’s…

News

Fed Lawmaker, Nkwonta Felicitates Christians At Christmas

National Ambassador..December 25, 2024

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on South-East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta has felicitated Christian faithfuls on Christmas, urging them to show more…

Abia State Federal Government Healthcare/Welfare National News News Spotlight Trending

Address Hunger, Injustice: Bishop Onuoha Tells FG, Advocates Political Solution to Nnamdi Kanu’s Case

Amarachi UzoukwuDecember 25, 2024

The Founder of Vision Africa International and Co-chair of the InterFaith Dialogue for Peace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, has called on the Federal Government to address…

Abia State Abia State House of Assembly Affairs Entertainment Events News Sport Sports Sports

Ikuku Novelty Football Match: Abia Former Speaker Pushes For Gender Equality

Kate OkerekeDecember 25, 2024

In a commendable effort to raise awareness and tackle the widespread issues of discrimination, abuse, and segregation against the girl child in Abia State, a…

News

Abia Lawmaker, Erondu Jnr Congratulates Constituents At Christmas

National Ambassador..December 25, 2024

The Chairman, House Committee on Public Service, Abia State House of Assembly (ABHA), Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr has congratulated his constituents, Abians and Nigerians at…

Abia State Metro/Crime News Security Agencies Sports Trending

Yuletide Security: NSCDC Abia State Command Deploys 1,550 Officers

Amarachi UzoukwuDecember 24, 2024

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abia State Command has deployed 1,550 officers and men to ensure a safe and secure environment during…

Abia State Events News

Police Warn Residents Against Fireworks, Outline Festive Security Measures

Dickson PaulDecember 24, 2024

Abia residents have been warned to adhere to the fireworks ban for public safety. This was made known in a press release signed by ASP…

Finance & Economic Development News

Gov Diri Signs 2025 Budget of Assured Prosperity into Law

National AmbassadorDecember 24, 2024

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has signed the state’s 2025 appropriation bill, passed by the House of Assembly, into law. He had…

News

Shoppers, Vendors Hail Christmas Discount Market in PH

Nzeuzor JaneDecember 23, 2024

One week after the launch of the Christmas discount market in Port Harcourt, both shoppers and vendors are praising the initiative. The initiative was last…

News

Oginigba Community Accuses Rep Member of Leading Thugs to Destroy Market Structures

Nzeuzor JaneDecember 23, 2024

Residents of the Oginigba Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area have raised concerns about the alleged destruction of newly constructed market structures by individuals attempting…

News

MOUAU Alumni Holds Dinner Banquet, Honours Personalities

National Ambassador..December 23, 2024

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Alumni Association, Umuahia Chapter has held her Annual End of the year dinner party, with notable personalities honoured…

Abia State Entertainment Events National News News Religion Spotlight Trending

Gov Otti Declares Abia State Christmas Carol of Nine Lessons an Annual Event

Amarachi UzoukwuDecember 23, 2024

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced that the state government’s Christmas Carol of Nine Lessons will henceforth be an annual event. Governor Otti…

News

Black Sunday as 6 People Feared Killed on Umuahia-Ohafia Road

National Ambassador..December 22, 2024

It was a black Sunday in Ohafia, Abia State today as six passengers has been feared killed in a ghastly road mishap. An eye witness…

Sport Sports Sports

NPFL: Abia Warriors Destroy Ikorodu City

Joseph JacobDecember 22, 2024

Abia Warriors of Umuahia, moved up to 10th on the Nigerian Premier League table after defeating Ikorodu City 2-0 at the Umuahia Township Stadium in…

News Sport Sports Sports

EPL: Liverpool Crush Spurs to Remain Top

Joseph JacobDecember 22, 2024

Liverpool will remain top of the Premier League into the hectic festive fixtures as they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 6-3 in one of the Week 17…

News

Environmental Cleanliness: Catechist Ambrose Jonah, ASEPA DGM, Appreciates Collaborative Efforts of Abians, Envisions a Better Year 2025

Charles OgbonnayaDecember 22, 2024

The Deputy General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Catechist Ambrose Jonah, has lauded the collaborative efforts of all agencies in the…

Abia State Abia State Government National News News Politics

Abia LP Members Pass Vote of Confidence in Party Chairman, Executives

Kate OkerekeDecember 22, 2024

In a show of unity and support, members of the Labour Party in Abia State have passed a vote of confidence in the state executive…

News Politics

FCT Minister Positioning Himself Over APC, PDP Is Dangerous – Oshoma

Nzeuzor Jane & Bestman OrjiDecember 13, 2024

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike’s positioning of himself as a dominant figure over the two major political parties, the People’s Democratic Party…

News Politics

Rivers Crisis: Obio-Akpor Council Boss, Ihunwo Accuses Wike Of Using Police To Harass Residents (VIDEO)

National Ambassador..December 3, 2024

The Executive Chairman, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has accused immediate past Rivers State Governor and the Minister of the Federal…

Abia State Events National News News Politics Spotlight Trending

LG Polls Free & Fair Says IPAC, Urges Aggrieved Candidates To Seek Redress Through Proper Channels

Amarachi UzoukwuNovember 16, 2024

The Abia State Chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the recently concluded Local Government elections and…

Abia State Metro/Crime News Security Agencies Sports Trending

Yuletide Security: NSCDC Abia State Command Deploys 1,550 Officers

Amarachi UzoukwuDecember 24, 2024

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abia State Command has deployed 1,550 officers and men to ensure a safe and secure environment during…

Abia State Metro/Crime National News News Security Agencies Spotlight Trending

Gov Otti Hands Over 20 Brand New Hilux Trucks To Security Agencies In Abia

Amarachi UzoukwuDecember 16, 2024

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has handed over 20 Brand New Toyota Hilux Trucks, purchased by the State Government to the various Security…

Metro/Crime News

Professorship Scandal Rocks MOUAU: ASUU Knocks VC Over Inaugural Lecturer, Echebiri’s Credentials

National Ambassador..December 10, 2024

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) chapter, Abia State, has called for the cancellation of 57th Inaugural lecture…

Metro/Crime News

Driver Killed, Police Orderly Injured as Gunmen Abduct Businessman in Akwa Ibom

Lovina EmoleNovember 26, 2024

Gunmen stormed the Hephzibah Mall in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Saturday, November 24, 2024, abducted its owner, Samuel Ekerenam, killed…

Abia State Abia State House of Assembly Affairs Entertainment Events News Sport Sports Sports

Ikuku Novelty Football Match: Abia Former Speaker Pushes For Gender Equality

Kate OkerekeDecember 25, 2024

In a commendable effort to raise awareness and tackle the widespread issues of discrimination, abuse, and segregation against the girl child in Abia State, a…

Abia State Metro/Crime News Security Agencies Sports Trending

Yuletide Security: NSCDC Abia State Command Deploys 1,550 Officers

Amarachi UzoukwuDecember 24, 2024

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abia State Command has deployed 1,550 officers and men to ensure a safe and secure environment during…

Sport Sports Sports

NPFL: Abia Warriors Destroy Ikorodu City

Joseph JacobDecember 22, 2024

Abia Warriors of Umuahia, moved up to 10th on the Nigerian Premier League table after defeating Ikorodu City 2-0 at the Umuahia Township Stadium in…

News Sport Sports Sports

EPL: Liverpool Crush Spurs to Remain Top

Joseph JacobDecember 22, 2024

Liverpool will remain top of the Premier League into the hectic festive fixtures as they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 6-3 in one of the Week 17…

Sport Sports Sports

CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Lookman Succeeds Osimhen

Joseph JacobDecember 16, 2024

Nigeria and Atalanta of Italy striker, Ademola Lookman has been named the 2024 African Footballer of the Year in a colourful ceremony held in Marrakesh,…

Gov Otti Set to Flag Off Abia Airport Project, Launches Reconstruction of 11.5km Ntigha-Nbawsi-Umuala Road

Editorial Features

The Flagging Off of Ntigha-Nbawsi-Umuala Road Project: A New Dawn for Rural Development in Abia State

National AmbassadorNovember 25, 2024

Today, Monday, November 25, 2024, marks a significant moment in Abia State’s journey toward transformation, as His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, officially flags off the…

Editorial

Kereke-Ekun Set To Take Over From Ariwoola As the Next CJN

National Ambassador..August 15, 2024

The National Judicial Council has recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to be the next Chief Justice of Nigeria. Punch reports that the recommendation was made in…

Abia State Editorial Opinion

Isigate Umuahia: The Heartbeat of City’s Commercial Pulse

Chuks EzeMay 14, 2024

In the heart of Umuahia, lies Isigate Umuahia a bustling nexus of activity and commerce that pulsates with energy from dawn till dusk. As I…

Abia State Editorial News Society

To Live the Ideals of the Risen Christ,Being the text of the 2024 Easter message to Ndi Abia by Governor Alex Otti

Amarachi UzoukwuApril 1, 2024

To Live the Ideals of the Risen Christ BEING THE TEXT OF THE 2024 EASTER MESSAGE TO NDI ABIA BY THE ABIA STATE GOVERNOR, DR.…

Editorial Politics

John Okiyi Kalu’s Revisionism and The Need For Greater Vigilance

Jones Nnanna IkeDecember 12, 2023

Reading John Okiyi Kalu’s aka Nwandugbom or JOK revisionism with the title “Between Peter Mba and Alex Otti: When Experience Makes A Difference” which contained…

Abia Personalities Abia State Abia State Government Business

Foremost Abia Business Man, Nwokeafor, Set To Be Buried,As UCCIMA Hosts Memorial Lecture

Kate OkerekeDecember 18, 2024

As activities continue to build up to the final burial ceremony of Late Senator Levi Ikwuagwu Nwokeafor, the Umuahia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and…

Abia State Business Events National News News Spotlight Trending

Gov Otti Declares Open Aba International Trade Fair, Heralds Aba’s Return As West Africa’s Commercial Powerhouse

Amarachi UzoukwuDecember 1, 2024

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has emphasized the role of the Abia International Trade Fair as a major catalyst in repositioning Aba as…

Abia State Business Events Federal Government Finance & Economic Development News Spotlight Trending

2024 Aba International Trade Fair Will Serve As Platform To Drive Investment Opportunities in Abia – Chief Inem

Amarachi UzoukwuNovember 21, 2024

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem has described the 2024 Aba International Trade Fair as a veritable…

Abia State Business Finance & Economic Development National News News Spotlight Trending

Abia Govt Reaffirms Commitment To Boost MSMEs Growth As Aba Vendors Hub Holds Trade Fair

Amarachi UzoukwuOctober 6, 2024

The Abia State Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as part of its economic revitalization agenda. …