Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has called on Nigerians to embrace the duties of citizenship as a veritable means of moving the nation forward.
Governor Otti made the call on Wednesday, October 1, 2026, in Umuahia, during activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
In his anniversary address titled “Citizenship, Freedom and Vigilance,” the Governor charged Nigerians to remain collectively vigilant in protecting the gains of independence.
“On this day, marking the anniversary of our independence, let us make a collective resolve to embrace the duties of citizenship, for it is in doing what we must as true citizens and patriots that the dreams of our parents, who stood defiantly against the superior firepower of the colonial authorities, can be actualised.
“In committing to the demands of citizenship, which has been in short supply in our current evolution, we validate the conviction of the men and women who insisted that we are not an inferior race and should, therefore, not remain perpetually bound to the dictates of foreign administrators.
“It has to be admitted that a lot has gone wrong in the decades that followed the actualisation of self-governance, including an unfortunate civil war that cost millions of lives. Our country has also suffered the misery of multiple military incursions into our political system and the tragedy of mismanaged elections, among other disheartening developments, which threw up political office holders who were not aligned with the aspirations that informed the struggle for independence,” Governor Otti stated.
The Governor added that the fruits of past struggles can only be sustained through vigilance.
“The fruits of yesterday’s struggles can only be sustained by the collective vigilance of our generation and those coming after us. We are, therefore, invited to take nothing for granted, for when we do, we unwittingly open the gates for the enemies of freedom to jump in and steal that which we cherish the most,” The Governor said.
The State Chief Executive urged Abians not to give up in the face of challenges, but to remain resilient, while restating his administration’s commitment to the rapid socio-economic transformation of the State.
“The message that I leave you with remains what it has always been: do not give up; keep pushing and never surrender to the vicissitudes of the time. It is in staying firm and unyielding that we win.
“May I also use this auspicious occasion to restate our commitment to the rapid socio-economic transformation of the State.
“Together, we shall build systems and institutions that answer to our development aspirations.
“Your security and welfare, as the Constitution stipulates, shall remain our foremost priority and, as an integral part of the Nigerian community, we shall do our best to actualise the dreams that stirred in the hearts of our fathers – the patriotic zeal for the pursuit of freedom and national sovereignty,” the Governor affirmed.
Governor Otti also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices in the fight against insecurity and commended Nigerian entrepreneurs, manufacturers, farmers and other productive citizens whose ingenuity drives the nation’s economy.
“On this day, I salute the brave efforts of our security agents fighting the menace of insecurity on different battle fronts. Thank you for your sacrifices and the enduring commitment to the unity and stability of our country.
“I would also like to acknowledge the vast contributions of our entrepreneurs, manufacturers, farmers and others whose creative ingenuity and efforts drive our economic realities,” Gov. Otti added.
The anniversary ceremony featured an inspection of the guard of honour and a parade by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
The event was attended by the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, Service Commanders and other dignitaries.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
October 1, 2026.
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