NEWS
Abia @ 35: Gov. Alex Otti, Osita Chidoka, Okonjo-Iweala Chart New Course for Abia at Anniversary Lecture
The Abia State Government has marked the 35th anniversary of the creation of Abia State with a high-powered anniversary lecture that brought together political leaders, technocrats, traditional rulers, academics, members of the clergy and other stakeholders to reflect on the State’s journey and chart a fresh course for its future.
The anniversary lecture, held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia, was organised around the theme, “The Rise of a New Abia,” with discussions focusing on governance, education, infrastructure, economic development, sustainability and the need to build institutions capable of delivering lasting progress beyond individual administrations.
Addressing the gathering, Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, congratulated Abians on the 35th anniversary of the creation of the State, describing the occasion as an opportunity not only to celebrate the past but also to reflect deeply on the future of Abia.
Governor Otti expressed appreciation to the keynote speaker, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, for what he described as a well-researched and thought-provoking lecture which, according to him, reawakened the consciousness that governance is not about an individual.
The Governor stressed that at 35, the critical responsibility before Abia was to ensure that every administration builds upon the foundation it inherits rather than treating governance as a personal possession or beginning afresh with every change of government.
He noted that the sustainability of development should remain a central consideration in governance, adding that the ultimate measure of leadership should be the extent to which institutions, systems and policies are strengthened to continue delivering results beyond the tenure of any particular office holder.
Governor Otti also revisited his decision not to accept chieftaincy titles, awards or honorary degrees on the day of his inauguration, explaining that the decision was deliberate and rooted in his determination to remain focused on delivering good governance to the people.
According to him, such recognitions, though potentially valuable, could become distractions from the enormous responsibilities associated with governing the State and implementing his administration’s development agenda.
The Governor further linked his administration’s strong emphasis on education to ideas he had articulated long before becoming Governor. He recalled that his books and articles written before his emergence as Governor consistently highlighted education as a critical foundation for building a prosperous society.
He explained that the philosophy informed his administration’s decision to outlaw school fees, including in the State’s smart schools, stressing that access to quality education remained central to his vision for the transformation of Abia.
A significant moment at the anniversary lecture came when Governor Otti used the occasion to apologise to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), over the delayed implementation of an approval he had granted in April.
The Governor acknowledged that the union’s demands were legitimate and disclosed that he had approved the requests after they were brought before him, but expressed concern that the approval was not implemented for several months.
He said the situation eventually culminated in the industrial action embarked upon by the university’s academic staff, which he described as avoidable.
“ASUU went on strike about a week or two ago in Abia State University, Uturu. Their requests came to me. I looked at those requests, and they were legitimate requests, and I approved them.
“But months later, I’m not saying weeks, months later, I was to be told that, yes, you have approved. But it had not been implemented. We set up an implementation committee.
“So, I asked the question, what does the implementation committee mean? The total cost of the difference between what they were earning and what they are asking for was in the memo that I approved.
“So that means that somebody has thought through it.
“So, I want to, on this podium, apologise to Abia State University as well. That strike was avoidable. And I’ve told my people, if it happens again, heads will roll,” Governor Otti stated.
In a goodwill message delivered virtually, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, commended Governor Otti and his administration for what she described as significant steps towards strengthening Abia’s financial sustainability and economic foundation.
Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the administration’s efforts in increasing Internally Generated Revenue, reducing dependence on Federation allocations and prioritising capital expenditure as important indicators of fiscal responsibility and a deliberate attempt to place the State on a stronger economic footing.
She also pointed to Abia’s investments in infrastructure, improved electricity supply, settlement of inherited salary and pension arrears and reduction of the State’s debt burden as developments that demonstrate effective governance and are attracting attention beyond the State.
While acknowledging that significant work remains to be done, the WTO Director-General expressed optimism that Abia could harness its enormous economic and human potential to create more jobs, generate prosperity and restore dignity to its people.
She said improved infrastructure, supportive government policies and strategic investments in sectors with high growth potential could enable Abia to secure a stronger position within national, regional and global value chains.
Okonjo-Iweala further urged the State to develop the “Made in Aba” brand into a globally recognised identity while strengthening Umuahia’s position as a light manufacturing and administrative centre.
Her message added an international dimension to the anniversary celebration, highlighting the possibility of Abia evolving from a State with strong commercial traditions into a competitive economic hub with deeper integration into global markets.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Chief Osita Chidoka observed that there was visible evidence of development in Abia since 2023, when Governor Otti assumed office.
However, he stressed that the ultimate test of the administration should extend beyond the projects and achievements of the incumbent Governor.
According to Chidoka, the objective should be to transform Abia from a State with a capable Governor into a capable and sustainable Abia, where strong institutions and systems can continue to deliver progress irrespective of who occupies the Government House.
He drew attention to Governor Otti’s 2014 book, “Saving The Future,” noting that the ideas contained in the publication demonstrated that the Governor’s commitment to education and development predated his political office.
Chidoka said Governor Otti had consistently emphasised measurable educational performance in his writings and that several of the policies being implemented by the present administration reflected positions he had taken on governance long before becoming Governor.
He also commended the administration’s consistent 20 per cent appropriation to education in its annual budgets, describing sustained investment in human capital as critical to the State’s long-term development.
The former Minister expressed optimism that Nigeria could eventually have domestic examples of effective governance that other Nigerians would look to, rather than constantly travelling abroad in search of models for development.
He said he envisaged a future where Abia would become a reference point for governance and development in Nigeria.
In his vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, emphasised that the vision of a New Abia could not be achieved by government alone.
He called for the cooperation, participation and continued support of all Abians, stressing that the transformation of the State required collective ownership and a shared commitment to building on the gains recorded under the present administration.
Kanu commended Governor Otti for changing the narrative of governance in Abia and for raising the standard of leadership and public administration in the State.
He also expressed appreciation to Chief Chidoka for adding value to the anniversary programme through his keynote presentation and thanked Abians for entrusting their confidence to the leadership of Governor Otti.
The anniversary lecture also featured a high-level panel discussion which provided an opportunity for stakeholders to examine Abia’s development trajectory over the past 35 years and project the direction of the State over the next five years.
The panel comprised the representative of the founder of Geometric Power, the representative of the GMD/CEO of Nepal Group of Companies, the Principal Secretary to the Governor, the Member representing Isiala-Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, former Chief Judge of Abia State, Hon. Justice Arisa Onuoha Ogwe, and the Attorney General of the State.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, and the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, served as moderators.
The panelists examined key developments recorded across different sectors of the State, assessed the challenges confronting Abia and considered the opportunities available for accelerating growth and development.
They also projected the future of Abia over the next five years, with particular attention to the need for continuity, institutional strengthening, economic expansion, infrastructure development and effective utilisation of the State’s human and material resources.
The discussions further highlighted what the panelists described as unprecedented developments under Governor Otti and the importance of sustaining the momentum beyond the current administration.
The anniversary lecture formed part of activities marking 35 years since the creation of Abia State and provided a platform for a broader conversation about the State’s past, present and future.
The ceremony attracted members of the National Assembly, members of the Abia State Executive Council, Local Government Mayors, members of the Traditional Rulers Council, clergy, senior government officials, business leaders and other dignitaries who joined in c
ommemorating the milestone and reflecting on the theme, “The Rise of a New Abia.“