Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has lauded the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for moving towards the digitisation of asset declaration processes.
Governor Otti stated this on Tuesday, March 31st, while receiving a delegation of the Zonal Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Southeast zone, Mr Akinfolarin Feyishola.
He said that the digital transition aligns with global best practices and the Abia State government’s reform agenda.
“We look forward to a situation where someone can sit in the comfort of his home, fill the form, and return it electronically; that is where the world has gone.
“This is also the direction this government is going; even Certificates of Occupancy are processed and signed electronically,” Gov. Otti said.
The State Chief Executive said that the state had embraced digital governance to improve efficiency and service delivery, adding that those who failed to adapt to technological changes risked being left behind.
The Governor stressed the importance of the CCB in Nigeria’s democratic system, saying that compliance with asset declaration should be a minimum standard for every public office holder, adding that no public officer has any excuse for non-compliance.
“The Code of Conduct Bureau is a necessary part of our democratic system and, for me personally, it is a minimum standard for people who want to operate in the public sector space.
Gov. Otti further disclosed that he and his deputy duly declared their assets before assumption of office, adding that all political appointees and public officers in the State must comply with the constitutional requirement.
The Governor, who directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work with relevant officials to ensure full compliance by all officers required to declare their assets, also directed the Commissioner for Lands to inspect the CCB office in Umuahia with a view to upgrading the facility, while pledging that the State government would also consider the request of the CCB for an official vehicle to support its operations in the State.
Earlier in his speech, the Zonal Director, Code of Conduct Bureau, Southeast zone, Mr Akinfolarin Feyishola, while commending Governor Otti on his achievements that are visible and making news all over the country, said that, he was in the State to intimate him on the existence of the office in the Code of Conduct Bureau in the Southeast zone and Umuahia too.
He appreciated the fact that Governor Otti encourages his officers and appointees to comply with the mandatory subscription to the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Mr. Feyishola, who disclosed that the Code of Conduct Bureau is working towards automating the assets declaration processes, appealed to the Governor to assist the office in its proposed sensitisation for all political office holders in Abia State.
He also stressed the need for governments to make evidence of compliance with the Code of Conduct Bureau one of the requirements for payment of emoluments to public officers.
He said that the bureau had stopped issuing physical asset declaration forms as was previously done.
“The Code of Conduct is no longer issuing out asset declaration forms like we did when you were coming into office.
“We are about automating the whole system now. We are going online, and maybe in the third quarter of the year, we are going to be fully online.
“We are looking at a situation where compliance with the Code of Conduct will be tied to some incentive in the public service.
“So, evidence of compliance with the Code of Conduct can be part of the paper they submit before they even start receiving their emolument from the State government,” Mr. Feyishola stated.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribeole, the Chief of State to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, the Commissioner for Land, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, among other senior appointees of the Government.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
March 31st, 2026.
