LIFESTYLE
“Our Government Is a Government of Meritocracy, and Meritocracy Will Always Win the Debate” — Abia State Gov. Dr. Alex Otti Declares, Reaffirms Competence-Driven Governance at Alayi Day 2025 as Aba North Mayor Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke Graces Event
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has once again reaffirmed that his administration is firmly anchored on meritocracy, declaring that competence, capacity, and performance remain the sole criteria for appointments into public offices under his leadership.
The Governor made this declaration at the 2025 Alayi Day Celebration, a colourful cultural and development-focused gathering that brought together sons and daughters of Alayi from within and outside the state. The event was also graced by the Mayor and Executive Chairman of Aba North Local Government Area, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke who also his from Alayi, who joined other top government functionaries to celebrate with the Alayi people.
Commending the Alayi community, Governor Otti praised them for producing distinguished personalities who have continued to contribute meaningfully to the development of Abia State and Nigeria at large. He stressed that his government is not guided by place of origin, ethnicity, or sentiments, but strictly by the value individuals bring to public service.
“It is important to state, just as the Professor said, that people who get appointments under this government do so based on merit.
“We don’t care where you come from; we care about what you can offer, what you have in your brains between your two ears. That is what matters to us.
“Our government is a government of meritocracy, and meritocracy will always win the debate,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor singled out his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and son of Alayi, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, whom he described as one of the most consistent members of his political and administrative team from 2014 to 2023, culminating in his emergence as Governor.
He also commended the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, noting that Abia State has recorded remarkable milestones in the health sector due to the deliberate appointment of competent professionals into strategic positions.
“We have been winning awards. We are the most prepared State to handle medical emergencies in Nigeria. We are number one.
“We are also number one in the Southeast in the area of primary healthcare, and we won a prize of $500,000 a few weeks ago.
“When you appoint the right people, you can go to sleep, they will produce results,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti thanked the Alayi people for their warm reception and unwavering support for his administration and announced his personal donation towards the community’s fundraising project.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Uche, stated that no government has remembered the Alayi people like that of Governor Alex Otti, noting that the administration has fixed critical roads and opened up the entire Abia North corridor.
He disclosed that out of the 200 Primary Health Centres being executed across the state under Project Ekwueme, 16 are located in Bende Local Government Area, including Alayi. He assured the Governor of the people’s total support.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the people of Alayi have consistently supported Governor Otti over the years, adding that within just two years plus in office, the Governor has changed the narrative of governance and rewritten Abia’s chequered history. He assured that Alayi people would continue to stand firmly with the Governor.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Udo Nwokocha, and the President General of Alayi Development Union Worldwide, Engr. Chris Ndubuisi Eke, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Otti for honouring their invitation and identifying with them on their special day. They highlighted several developmental projects executed by the administration, including the appointment of Alayi sons into government, fixing of the Amaozara water project, upgrade of Umunneato General Hospital, prompt intervention on the Alayi–Item Road, and provision of electric transformers, among others.
The event attracted a large turnout of government officials and stakeholders, including the honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze; member representing Bende North State Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ekekwe; the Liaison Officer for the National Assembly, Hon. Iheanyi Frank Chinasa; the Mayor of Bende LGA, Nwabunkonye Bassey, traditional rulers, community leaders, political appointees, and other dignitaries, underscoring the growing confidence in the Governor’s 
merit-driven administration.