Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has charged the One Thousand graduands of the Abia Leadership Academy to remain role models and good ambassadors of the academy and the State.
Governor Otti gave the charge at the combined graduation ceremony of cohorts 3 and 4 of the Abia Leadership Academy training held at the Government College Umuahia, while challenging the 1000 young people who benefited from the leadership training to proffer solutions to challenges wherever they find themselves.
The Governor, in an address titled “Role models and Pathfinders,” reminded the graduands that their success depends on the lives they change, the new ideas they inspire, and the courage they instil in future generations.
He said that the founding philosophy of the Abia Leadership Academy is that leaders are made through mentorship and conscious decisions to separate oneself from the crowd.
“This academy is, therefore, set up to give a 360-degree view of leadership to all who pass through it, providing intelligent answers to practical life questions, offering clarity through the shared experiences of mentors, and redirecting those who may have missed their way to the path of self-rediscovery.
“The State has invested princely sums in your training, but that will be a great bargain if you commit to living out and sharing all you have learned within your sphere of influence.
“Our conviction is that 1,000 of you can start up a movement that will change the destiny of millions. My charge to you will be to go and make great leaders of yourselves, family members and friends, for that is the only way to show your gratitude for the opportunity the State has offered you,” Gov. Otti stated.
He congratulated the one thousand graduands for successfully scaling through the rigorous and intense training, expressing optimism that the graduates would individually and collectively return to their communities to ignite the fire of self-discovery among their peers.
The State Chief Executive said that the academy in its totality is primarily set up to give a 360-degree view of leadership to all who pass through it, providing intelligent answers to practical life questions, offering clarity through shared experiences of mentors, and redirecting those who may have missed their way to the path of self-rediscovery and fulfillment.
The Governor announced that he has directed the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, to set up a digital community for the alumni, offering continuing mentorship and identifying those qualified for further training opportunities and discussions within and outside the country.
“We are not just going to let you wander off without support. Our eyes shall be on all of you, and from time to time, many of you shall be invited to special Government functions for learning and exposure. You are the future of Abia, and we shall nurture and continually prepare you for the responsibilities of leadership,” Gov. Otti assured.
In a remark, the Chairman of the Abia Leadership Academy organizing committee and Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, while appreciating Governor Alex Otti for putting up the leadership programme, which has positively reshaped the belief, knowledge, and skills of the younger ones and urged the graduands to make all they were taught an integral part of their daily lives.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of, Civil Service Commission and member of the leadership organizing committee, Pastor Enoh Jerry-Eze, while welcoming all to the graduation ceremony of the 3rd and 4th cohorts, said that the Governor has, through the programme, laid a strong foundation for an enduring tradition of grooming and empowering young leaders.
She said that the Governor has equally through the programme proved that leadership is not a privilege reserved for a select few, but an opportunity that must be democratized and extended to all young people who dare to dream and commit to serve, noting that participants have been grounded in values of integrity, empathy, discipline, service, creativity, and resilience.
“You have been grounded in values of integrity, empathy, discipline, service, creativity, and resilience, and are empowered to think outside the box in providing innovative solutions to complex problems.”
“Carry these with you as you step forward to influence your schools, communities, and indeed the world. The testimonies from earlier cohorts and the transformative experiences recorded throughout this programme remind us of a timeless truth,” Pastor Eno noted.
In their presentations, some participants noted that the programme has transformed them into critical thinkers and effective problem solvers and has equally instilled in them discipline, and thanked Governor Otti for envisioning the programme, which has groomed them into potential leaders.
The programme attracted the presence of the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu and a host of other government officials. The Governor donated the 150 foldable seats,150 foldable tables, foams, and other items procured and used during the training to Government College Umuahia.
Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
10 – 09 – 2025.
