The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti,has underscored his administration’s unwavering commitment to eradicating all forms of crime and criminality in the state.

Governor Otti made this known on Tuesday, while declaring open, a One Day Sensitization Campaign Against Cultism And Drug Addiction In Nigeria organized by the Abia State Orientation Agency.

The Governor who condemned the alarming trend of crime among youths under the grip of illicit substances, emphasized that no level of substance abuse could justify criminal actions.

He noted that his administration is single minded about rooting out crime and criminality to ensure that Abia remains safe for citizens and visitors alike.

“Armed robbery, kidnapping, abductions, violent crimes and banditry have been related and associated very closely with cultism and drug addiction.

“Today, alot of our young ones have involved themselves in consuming illicit substances that makes them behave abnormally.

“No amount of alcoholism, drug addiction or whatever it is that you have consumed will justify any action that you have taken that is against the law. And for us, we are single minded about rooting out crime and criminality to ensure that our state is safe for our citizens and our visitors”, the Governor stated.

The Governor who described the sensitization campaign by the State Orientation Agency as imperative noted that there is need to educate citizens on the implication of cultism and drug addiction.

“I believe this sensitization campaign is absolutely in order. We want to educate you and expose you to implications of some of these actions that lead to other actions that would lead us to a reaction that you may not like”.

He therefore urged participants of the programme to take the campaign seriously inorder to help spread awareness of the dangers associated with cultism and drug addiction.

In his Goodwill Message, the Inspector General of Police,Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, represented by DCP Sani Shuaibu noted with regret the prevalence cultism and drug addiction among youths.

The IGP pledged the readiness of the Nigerian Police Force to synergize with other sister security agencies and the Abia State Government to fight the menace of cultism and drug.

Earlier in his address, the Director General, Abia State Orientation Agency, Pastor Dike Nwankwo noted that the programme is aimed at sensitizing and reorientating Abians, especially the youths on the dangers of cultism and drug addiction. He highlighted the dangers associated with cultism and drug addiction and maintained that the campaign would bring about a cross fertilization of ideas and profer solutions to the menace of cultism and drug addiction.

Delivering a keynote lecture on the topic,”Building a New Abia Through a Responsible Citizenship” the Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe identified the challenges confronting youths to include unemployment , inadequate revenue generation, weak industrial base.

Prof Iwe stressed the need for responsible citizenship by all, especially the youths and emphasised that everyone has a duty to be a responsible citizen.

He commended Governor Otti for his proactive approach in the fight against cultism, drug addiction, and criminality in Abia State.

The post Gov Otti Drives Anti-Crime Agenda, Pledges Commitment To Eradicating Crime first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Protocol…

1. I am very delighted to address you today as we mark another important epoch in our march to the New Abia which promises to be radically different from the old. I welcome and thank you for your steadfastness and unshaking belief that in our lifetime, this land shall return to the path of genuine greatness and collectively, we shall overcome the many obstacles that assail us and bequeath to those coming after us, a better society.

2. Let me once again congratulate Ndi Abia and our friends at home and in the diaspora on the 32nd anniversary of the creation of our dear state. I am proud of what we have achieved as a people and even more excited about what the future holds. On the evidence of recent developments, I can announce happily that our moment in the sun is here.

3. We have the wind in our sail and I can tell you that the optimism you see on the faces of our people everywhere is not for nothing. Abians are understandably excited and as many scholars had argued, societies are built by the faith and confidence of the people.

4. So like you, I am glad to see many nonpartisan observers and groups use the state as a great example of the power of resilience and the great rewards it yields when sustained. The world knows our story, and the pains we have been through on account of several missed opportunities.

5. The world is also conscious of our present journey and many observers are watching with keen interest to see where this present path leads. While it is common to assume that we shall always end at a great destination and I am actively praying and working towards that, there are a few important structures and systems that must be put in place to guarantee the outcome we desire.

6. So, my people, we have gathered today to add a very important pillar to further strengthen the structure that would be ultimately known as the New Abia, making it firm and robust to stand the test of the elements.

7. Today’s launch of the new Abia State Orientation Agency and our choice of Dr Oby Ezekwesili, a truly transformational leader and voice of genuine change across Nigeria and beyond, as the guest speaker for our 32nd anniversary lecture point to our determination to follow through on our mission of building a new governance architecture that responds quickly to the needs of the people.

8. While we shall continue to fix roads and other civil engineering structures that are critical to our social and economic development agenda, we have come here to remind ourselves that no society can witness development in the long run unless its values align with the outcomes it seeks to achieve.

9. I would be the first to concede that leadership is a major factor in determining how far and fast a society is transformed; but at the same time, it must also be noted that even the most inspirational and committed leaders would be utterly helpless when the followers cannot rise to the demands of social transformation.

10. Good roads, quality healthcare, standard schools, adequate security in our neighbourhoods and communities and other social services are desired by everyone in almost every community. However, you would agree with me that none of these would materialise in an environment where individuals and businesses do not pay their taxes promptly and correctly.

11. We have therefore come to set up a dynamic structure to guide the orientation of the public towards values that enable greatness in the society. The new Abia State Orientation Agency represents our boldest attempt yet at hitting the reset button as we separate ourselves from the choices that frustrated our best efforts at moving past the wilderness of mediocrity before now.

12. A new era is now upon us and we must put away the old garb of greed and selfishness, poor attitude to work, clannishness and instincts that promote mediocrity over meritocracy and excellence. Our challenge going forward shall be to determine how we can individually contribute to the building of our dream New Abia.

13. It is important to come to a consensus that not much will change in our cities if we keep dumping refuse indiscriminately. Abia will remain what it was before now unless we resolve collectively that in public and in private, we shall only play by the highest standards of ethics and sound judgment.

14. The management of the Abia State Orientation Agency has its work clearly cut out for it. The government has already rolled out numerous programmes and policies to drive our governance agenda. You are therefore mandated to make sure that the people, whether they live in rural or urban centres are constantly made aware of various government initiatives to improve their lives, especially in the areas that matter most.

15. The state shall be relying on the works of this agency to sensitise the public against behavioural patterns that make nonsense of our determination to hit the reset button and return us to the path that guaranteed peaceful co-existence amongst individuals and communities before now.

16. Never take it for granted that the people will always know what to do and do it; we expect you to teach them using every available tool at your disposal including new and traditional media channels, town hall engagements, educational materials and through collaboration with public figures who embody the spirit and attitudes that capture the outcomes that we seek.

17. Your duty is to teach, enlighten and then educate the public on the values that are in tandem with the spirit of the New Abia; honesty, patriotism, love of one’s neighbour and goodwill to all. You are never to under-estimate what impact you can make in the life of the people if you do your job right.

18. The job will not be easy because of years of abuses and the glorification of vanity. At any rate, I trust that Pastor Dike Nwankwo, an ordained priest, and his team have what it takes to put in place, processes and systems that would bring about significant improvements in our social ethics and values within a very short period.

19. The idea is to change the way we think and behave and ensure high standards in our daily lives. In the new Abia, we don’t expect people to litter, throw out refuse in unauthorised places or block drains that eventually leads to flooding. We expect our people to function in sparkling clean environments.

20. The new Abia has no room for corruption. Receiving and offering of bribe is unacceptable in the new Abia.

21. In the New Abia, it will be an anathema for any traditional ruler to confer chieftaincy titles on individuals with questionable wealth or for religious leaders to abuse their ecclesiastical authorities by engaging in conducts that are incongruent with the tenets of their faith as expressed publicly.

22. Teachers who mislead our young ones by aiding and abetting examination malpractices shall soon realise that their type have no place in the Abia of our dreams. Truancy, lateness and all the other behaviours that sabotage the effectiveness of the civil service shall no longer be tolerated and we expect the Abia State Orientation Agency to use the tools of moral suasion and public enlightenment to guide everyone aright.

23. We shall place the necessary resources you need to function at your disposal. Our resources are lean even as the demands on the government keep expanding. The best you can do to deliver on the mandate that have been given to you is to spend prudently and focus on the low hanging fruits in the immediate.

24. I wish you great success as you take off on this important journey of enlightening members of the public on the minimum acceptable standards of social behaviour in the New Abia; educating them on the various programmes and policies of the government, mobilising critical stakeholders’ support while ensuring that Abia remains a reference point for good governance and active and responsible citizenship.

25. Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, you are now invited to join me as I inaugurate the Abia State Orientation Agency.

Dr Alex C.Otti, OFR,
Executive Governor,
Abia State

The post Towards a New Path: Gov. Otti’s Speech At The Abia State Orientation Agency’s Inauguration first appeared on National Ambassador News.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Prince Kanu observed a growing gap between the government and the populace, noting that the total disconnect promoted the present administration to rejuvenate the state orientation agency established by the Abia State House of Assembly in 2020.

He further disclosed that the Abia state government in a move to enhance the welfare of pensioners, plans to introduce a free health insurance coverage for pensioners across the state.

According to him, the scheme has nothing to do with the pensions of the retirees which its payment is at advance stage and would be completed by the end of December, 2023.

He disclosed that 11 roads are ongoing and at different stages of completion including Cemetery, Old Express road among others, adding that the Light Up Abia Initiative is still on course, informing that the focus is now in Umuahia where solar panels are being mounted.

Contributing the Director General of Abia State Orientation Agency, Pastor Dike Nwankwo while emphasized the need for a change in attitude among the people, highlighted that the agency’s relaunch is a pivotal step in achieving the administration’s vision for a renewed Abia.

He stated that Local Government and Ward Orientation Officers will be deployed to ensure effective orientation of the people at the grassroots level.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday said in line with the Federal Government law which empowers States to handle issues of electricity, the State government plans to collaborate with electricity distribution companies (Discos) to improve power supply in Aba, Umuahia.

The Commissioner noted with delight that the State has kicked off it’s water scheme for Ariaria and Ubakala , as promised by the Governor during his campaigns adding that plans for other areas would be unveiled soon.

On road construction, the Commissioner for Works, Don Otumchere Oti emphasized that the present administration is focused on rejuvenating Aba due to its central location adding that Governor Otti is committed to making Aba more accessible and has plans to extend road construction efforts to other parts of the state.

He said there was need to fix Aba and make it more accessible and assured that every other part of the State would follow suit in the road construction plan of the Dr. Alex Otti led administration.

The post Abia Govt To Unveil Orientation Agency, Set to Provide Health Insurance For Retirees first appeared on National Ambassador News.