Being the Text of an Address Presented by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, Governor of Abia State, Nigeria, represented by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD, at the 2025 Ngwa Convention on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency The Arch, 315 Chestnut Street, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
Protocols
1. I bring you warm greetings from His Excellency, Dr. Alex C. Otti, OFR, the Governor of Abia State, and from all Abians at home, especially Oha Ndi Ngwa Nile, who are proud of you and grateful for the several ways you have continued to support the worthy efforts of the administration in rebranding Abia State at the global stage. It is an immense honor to stand in St Louis-the Gateway City—a place that symbolizes connection—and to speak to you on behalf of His Excellency. It therefore gives me great joy and a huge sense of responsibility to address this important gathering of brothers and sisters. It is gratifying to be in the midst of men and women who have distinguished themselves as leaders, entrepreneurs, and accomplished professionals and technocrats in various fields of human endeavour. Let me announce immediately that His Excellency, being one of your own and a beloved brother and a visionary Ngwa man, has sent me due to the exigencies of his office. Beyond his position as a political office holder, he shares in your hunger for fast-tracked development in our homeland. He deeply appreciates the fact that even in the midst of your high accomplishments and comfort in the developed countries of the world, you still care about your roots, you still think about our parents, brothers and sisters, kinsmen, friends and acquaintances, and still struggle with access to basic necessities of life at home. Thank you immensely for embodying the eternal Igbo spirit of onye aghala nwanne ya, by watching out for the best interests of our brothers, even from thousands of miles away.
2. I have come today that we may reason together, share ideas, and chart a new path forward as we continue the age-old tradition of coming together as brothers, not in desperation for company, but with a genuine appetite to pursue causes that advance the collective good in the various remote communities and clans of Ngwaland. I am particularly proud that we are having this conversation at a time like this when the regular conversation everywhere you go in Abia is focused on development — whether it is the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, education and investments in human capital, power and the big ticket projects like airport, Abia Medical city, tourism and hospitality assets or perhaps efforts at improving service delivery in the health sector and on all other major indices for evaluating the pattern and speed of progress in a society. The developmental conversations happening all over the place in Abia, from the bus stop to the barber’s shop, ivory towers, and in neighbourhood markets, are not just idle chatters; they are evidence of the people’s involvement in the developmental equation in our communities and, therefore, a pointer to the new social and political dynamics prevalent in the State.
I will use the opportunity this unique convention has offered us to quickly do a few things:
•To brief you on key developments in Abia since this administration took office in the past 27 months;
•To outline the opportunities opening up for our people, and lastly
•To invite you into concrete partnerships that will make a measurable difference in the years ahead.
3. When His Excellency asked Abians for their mandate in the March 18, 2023, elections, he made a firm promise to run a government that is visionary, focused, competent, compassionate, accountable, and transparent. He told Abians to weep no more, that help was on the way. He promised to launch Abians into prosperity. Today, about 27 months after taking over the mantle of leadership, it’s visible even to the blind that Abia state has been restored back on track and the dignity of Ndi Abia as a whole restored to dignity in the comity of states.
4. It may come as a surprise to a few of us, but my reading of the social and political dynamics in Abia currently is that the people are no longer satisfied with playing spectators; they are tired of standing idly by the side while the political class acts without the balance that comes with a broader frame of reference. It may, in fact, be much more correct to say that what we are witnessing today, as it relates to robust citizens’ participation in political process and economic affairs, is in keeping with the age-old tradition of our people. Docility and indifference are alien to our culture, so we take responsibility for our own reality, irrespective of whatever may be happening elsewhere. Our commitment to making lives better for ourselves and those coming after us is also the reason ineffective leaders are hardly welcome in the land. Events like this are critical for agenda setting through open debates, devoid of rancour, but by laying out all the facts that an objective assessment and resolution can be reached.
5. Today, there is fiscal discipline and the dignity of labor. The Alex Otti administration has continued to prioritize paying workers’ salaries and pensioners fully and on time every 28th of each month since May 2023 to date. As I speak with you now, the salaries and pensions of Abia workers and pensioners for the month of August 2025 have been paid. All these are now happening in the new Abia under Governor Alex Otti after years of painful arrears and backlogs that accumulated over many years. This is not just an economic decision; it is about the dignity of labour of Abians, and this has reinforced trust in the government. I am pretty sure that many, if not all of you, are far less bothered financially by your relatives at home now than was the case before the advent of this administration. In the early days of the administration, the Treasury Single Account was introduced, and this cleaned up payrolls through verification to remove ghost workers, and moved to digital payment systems. These were structural changes, and though there were several push-backs due to the resistance of those who had been benefiting from the manifestly corrupt system, however, the results today in financial prudence are far better than what we used to have previously. The implication is that several fraudulent bank accounts maintained by MDAs across the state that could not be accounted for were closed, thus ushering us into better management and use of public funds for the public good.
6. A new sense of optimism has risen in Abia and there is a strong belief amongst many that the government of the day is not just committed to improving their material reality, but is also determined to harness the human and material resources of our land in ways that guarantee steady jobs for our youth population, create prosperity for the general population through productive activities and effectively creating opportunities for all who live in the land. Our overarching agenda in the medium to long run is to make Abia the number one destination for productive talents and investments. This explains the amount of resources that the State is committing to the development and expansion of economic infrastructure. It may interest you, dear brothers and sisters, to know that our expenditure per capita on capital expenditure is currently the highest in the country. I am also glad to report that the road network in the State is rated about the best in all of Nigeria, so clearly, we are going somewhere.
7. The statistics supporting our infrastructural development in Abia are not abstract inventions but a testament to the new reality. To date, more than 350 roads have either been constructed or rehabilitated in Abia State, with the majority of these roads in Aba. This translates into an average of over 3 roads either being constructed or rehabilitated per week. I think that this is a record that will be hard to surpass even in the developed economies. Today, Abia state has the highest per capital investment in road infrastructure in Nigeria. Businesses are now booming, and Enyimba city is back on track with several multilateral and donor agencies scrambling for their share of improving the quality of Aba-made goods to be exported to the global market. Roads in Aba and Umuahia: Critical arteries are being rebuilt, not patched. In Aba, the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road has been fully reconstructed by Julius Berger, with modern drainage that was designed to ensure that the road lasts longer. Rehabilitation has progressed on Aba–Owerri Road and the Ariaria/Market axis with flood-control works. In Umuahia, key roads have been expanded and improved to decongest the capital and improve access to schools, hospitals, and markets. We are pairing roads with street lighting to extend safe business hours. From Port Harcourt to Obohia Road, and scores of other strategic roads in Aba, it has now been established that roads are pathways to prosperity. Beyond Aba, important road projects have either been completed or are nearing completion in several communities in Isiala Ngwa North and South, Obingwa, Osisioma, and Ugwunagbo Local Government Areas. The administration is leaving nothing to chance in its avowed commitment to boosting economic and social activities across our land by consistent investments in roads and associated infrastructure, including solar-powered street lights and fitting drainage channels. The maintenance department and direct labour office at the State Ministry of Works have since been restructured for quick response to any reports of road failures or damage. For us, it is not just about building and opening roads for public use; it is also about seeing that the service life of the roads is extended for as long as possible. This way, the infrastructural revolution can effectively support the economic activities of the people as it relates to the transport of agro commodities and trading at the communities’ neighbourhood markets.
8. On assumption of office, a state of emergency was declared in the area of security and other critical sectors of the economy. This administration is very committed to the security of lives and property in all parts of the State. Efforts were intensified to set up joint operations with security agencies, code-named Operation Crush, which swung into action immediately, especially along the Umunneochi–Isuikwuato–Lokpanta corridor. The night market at Lokpanta was sanitized and restructured, and we have seen a marked reduction in kidnappings and violent crime in those flashpoints. Safe communities are the foundation for investment and learning. Our rural and urban centres, including Aba, the Enyimba city, are now peaceful with no identified security threats. Those who have been visiting home more frequently can attest to the improved security of their lives and property. In order to ensure that security is given its pride of place in Abia state, a Security Advisory Council was established with a security trust fund launched last July, all aimed at strengthening security in Abia state, being mindful that security determines every other developmental effort in the state.
Abia is currently ranked as one of the safest destinations in Nigeria, with very minimal incidents of violent crimes, and when they do occur, the response from the security agencies is also very swift. We have therefore made crime a very expensive venture in Abia State, so many are advisedly staying away from committing crimes in the State or simply keeping their distance from our territory. The drastic reduction in crime has strengthened the confidence of investors, extended business hours, and also enhanced social activities as people now travel around the State for functions without any fear of harassment or losses. The investments the State is making in personnel welfare, logistics operations, and support for families of security personnel that suffer losses during active operations have boosted the confidence of our security agents and made them able and willing to keep our communities safe, whatever the cost.
9. People are largely satisfied in most communities because they can see improvements in the health and educational facilities around them, teachers and health workers are back at their duty posts, new recruitments have been made, and the challenge of personnel shortage is being addressed in real time. In the health sector, the recently introduced health insurance scheme is saving lives by enabling access to quality care in standard healthcare facilities. As of today, over 150 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) out of the 200 started in November 2024 have been completed and commissioned for use by our rural communities. Several secondary and tertiary hospitals are being reconstructed. For instance, the general hospitals at Okpuala Ngwa and the one at Obingwa, as well as the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba, are being reconstructed. The Abia Medical City, which is to be built in Isiala Ngwa, is also receiving serious attention as the government is finalising the required documentation with the core investors. The health ministry, in collaboration with the Civil Service Commission, is recruiting over 700 frontline health workers to bridge the gap of qualified medical personnel in our health sector, while at the same time improving drug availability. The government is also working with the relevant stakeholders to address the challenge of maternal, newborn born and infant mortality through training and continuous education, advocacy initiatives, and investments in facilities that support the health and well-being of our mothers and their children. Our goal is simple: no Abia,n whether in the rural or urban area, should have to travel far or pay a fortune to receive essential care.
10. Education has continued to receive the highest budgetary allocation of 20% since the inception of this administration to date. We are rehabilitating educational infrastructures across the state, both at the Tertiary as well as Basic and Secondary levels. The decrepit nature of ABSU facilities is now wearing a new look after the visit of his excellency to the school. Renovations of the students’ hostels as well as the rebuilding of several lecture theatres are ongoing in priority areas. At the Basic and Secondary school levels, a total of 221 schools are undergoing reconstruction and renovation in phases, classrooms are being equipped with basic learning materials, while teacher training and payment of reasonable subventions to the schools continue unhindered. Accreditation challenges in our tertiary institutions have been addressed through more responsible funding and governance. Over 5000 teachers have been recruited in the past months for our Basic and secondary education, while another 4000 teachers are currently undergoing the process of recruitment. Not just are schools being rebuilt and renovated, but the quality of what our children are being taught is also being enhanced in order to make them compliant with the demands of the 21st-century economy. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) components of our curriculum are being enhanced in addition to the building of 20 Smart Schools across the state, with at least one being built in each of the 17 LGAs and the additional 3 in each senatorial zone of Abia North Central, and South senatorial zones respectively. The teaching of Igbo Language and History in our schools has been approved to ensure that our children know who we are, where we are coming from, and where we are headed as a people of enviable culture and tradition. The underlying idea is that we don’t want to train a future generation that is both technologically and scientifically savvy but has no sense of history and therefore will not be able to appreciate and transfer our culture, language, and tradition to their own children.
11. In the Transport sector, sustained efforts are being made to enhance both mobility and connectivity through the construction of 3 modern Bus Terminals (2 in Aba and 1 in Umuahia), acquisition of 40 Electric Buses, expansion of the Railways from Aba to Umuahia with a spur to the Seaport at Obuaku as well as the Ntigha Dry portoto boost economic activities and commerce with Aba as the economic hub of the South East region.
12. Agriculture, arts, culture, and creative economy are also receiving the much-needed attention from the government through partnerships with international development partners and members of the organised private sector. Recently, farming inputs were distributed to thousands of farmers across the State to achieve improved outputs, especially amongst rural farmers. Partnership agreements have also been struck with multinational agro-businesses to drive investments in target sub-sectors of the agro ecosystem, with emphasis on production, processing, and export of produce where we have a comparative advantage, such as palm produce, cassava, pepper, and maize. Recall also that our massive investments in road projects are tied to our agricultural and tourism development agenda. By opening up rural roads, we are enabling access to markets for farmers, increasing the economic value of their output, as well as creating channels of partnerships in agriculture and tourism.
13. Our youth development and empowerment agenda is set up to practically expose our young people to the boundless opportunities around them. Over the last 6 months, hundreds of young people from across the local governments have been trained in various computer competencies. At the end of the training, they were handed personal computers to continue developing their professional competencies. We also employed very exceptional ones into the civil service. The partnership arrangement between Abia State and Ethnocentrique Ltd has been signed and aims at training in the first instance 5000 young Abians in the Fashion, Garment, Leather, and Textile industry to exploit the entire benefits accruable within the value chain. This is being supported by the launching in July 2025 of the Abia Export Growth Lab, which seeks to standardise made in Aba products for the international market. The Abia Leadership Academy has just been set up to train thousands of young people on self-discovery, awareness, and a new service-driven leadership model. Our goal is to keep supporting, mentoring, and directing those we train so that they can train others until we have a large community of servant-leaders and role models for our young ones. We are committed to redirecting our young people to begin to focus on values that endure, on what matters, and not the fleeting things of life.
14. Industrialisation is a major development thrust of the administration. But again, we also appreciate that industrialisation would not happen without an effective power supply system, quality road networks, a competent workforce, and above all, adequate security in the community. What we have done in the last 2 years is to lay a solid foundation for the new age of private-sector-led industrialisation in Abia. With Geometric Power running, the passing into law and subsequent setting up of the Abia State Electricity Regulation Agency (ASERA) as well as our plan (which is already in advanced stage), to acquire the Umuahia business unit of the Enugu Electricity Development Company (EEDC), we are optimistic that the challenge of power supply, distribution and appropriate pricing of power, would progressively become a thing of the past over the next few years as these measures would also ensure adequate protection of the rights of consumers of electricity. As you recall that we have recorded impressive feats in several other development frontiers, you will agree with me that we are setting the stage for an industrialised Abia. But again, we are not waiting till everything is perfect before we begin to make the necessary investments in our land to create jobs for our people and increase industrial factor utilisation. Our deal to buy off Star Paper Mill from the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) as well as Afro Beverages, International equitable Industries, Aba Textile, Modern Ceramics, etc is nearing conclusion and when we do, we shall invite professionals to guide us on how to resuscitate the moribund industries before inviting experienced private sector operators to run them on a structured arrangement that would prioritise business efficiency, job creation and ultimately, boost our gross domestic product as a State.
15. In terms of building and expanding the capacities of institutions to function, we are also very clear about what we want. We appreciate that progress is nothing without the support of resilient and robust institutions. Through broad-based legislations and administrative initiatives, we are creating new institutions and remaking old ones to be responsive to the needs and demands of the new age. In addition to creating new institutional vehicles to drive the development of Aba and environs, through the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), we have also strengthened agencies and organs of governments that are responsible for the management of urban wastes, urban renewal and other bureaucratic functions of a modern state. Currently, we are partnering with UN-HABITAT – an agency of the United Nations to develop a new master plan for Aba, remaking it into a model and resilient 21st-century city.
16. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this convention is proof that the Ngwa spirit is alive and strong. You have given so much already, but the future demands even more. The administration of Governor Alex Otti stands ready to partner with you in every productive area—health, education, industry, technology, and culture.
Abia is on the move!
17. As I begin to conclude, I want to appreciate the organisers of this event for the opportunity to be in your midst, to share a direct account of the development initiatives and philosophies that drive our administration. I also want to thank this association for its continued support and partnership with the administration as it relates to community development, support for education, health, and human capital development in general. I invite you to join hands and to collaborate with the current administration in all productive areas so as to surpass the expectations of Abians back home. Let me assure you that our doors are always open and our ears are attentive to listen to you if there are new areas of partnership you would want to explore with the Abia State Government. May I put it on record that the present administration shall continue to work for our people, offering them the critical institutional and structural support they need to find their place in life and become all they can be. We are remaking our land into a beautiful destination for all who dare to dream and are willing to build can become.
18. Thank you for listening, and may God bless you.
Dr Alex C. Otti, OFR.
August 30, 2025
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