“We don’t wait for perfection because no man is perfect, therefore, once we set a target and understand the direction, we move” — Governor Alex Otti Pledges Strategic Partnership with Denmark to Develop Abia State

In a bold declaration of Abia State’s commitment to accelerated development, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has expressed readiness to partner with Denmark across multiple sectors of the State’s economy.

Speaking on Tuesday during a high-level meeting with the Consul-General of the Kingdom of Denmark, Miss Jette Bjerrum, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, Governor Otti emphasized his administration’s proactive approach to implementing reforms and strategic projects.

The Governor highlighted Denmark as a key partner in advancing initiatives in Agriculture, Digital Transformation, Health, Maritime, and Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), noting that many of the areas proposed by the Danish delegation align seamlessly with Abia’s ongoing reforms.

“Some of the things you said are exactly what we are doing. For us, it is either we are doing something or we are not doing it. We don’t waste time.

“We don’t wait for perfection because no man is perfect, therefore, once we set a target and understand the direction, we move,” Gov. Otti affirmed.

The Governor further instructed his officials to immediately commence preliminary work on the partnership and welcomed a proposed workshop by the Danish delegation, scheduled for the first month of the new year, to crystallize the framework for implementation.

On digital transformation, Governor Otti underscored the State’s substantial investments in a data-driven system for agriculture and governance, which now enables accurate tracking of farmers, farm locations, and their needs, facilitating efficient planning and decision-making. He acknowledged the pivotal roles of the Commissioner for Science and Technology and the Special Adviser on Agriculture, both of whom recently returned from abroad to serve the State and drive reforms.

In health and education, the Governor revealed that his administration consistently allocates 35 percent of the annual budget to these critical sectors — 15 percent to health and 20 percent to education. He also highlighted initiatives such as free and compulsory basic education statewide and the upgrading of infrastructure in schools and 200 primary health centers.

Governor Otti pointed to the State’s remarkable success in powering Aba with 24-hour electricity through an independent power project, the first of its scale in Nigeria and encouraged the Danish delegation to visit the city to witness the ingenuity of local artisans and small businesses, reaffirming Aba’s status as the capital of MSMEs in Nigeria.

He commended Denmark’s development model and stressed Abia’s commitment to building strong sub-national institutions capable of contributing to national growth.

For her part, Consul-General Jette Bjerrum reiterated Denmark’s commitment to strategic partnerships with Abia State, emphasizing areas of collaboration at the sub-national level. She noted that her visit aimed to build trust and explore pragmatic partnerships delivering tangible short-term results.

Highlighting Denmark’s African Century Strategy, the Consul-General acknowledged Nigeria as a key regional hub for public and private sector investment and innovation. She identified food and agriculture as a priority, citing Denmark’s long-standing investments along the value chain from production to consumption, and emphasized digital transformation as a critical driver of socio-economic development.

Miss Bjerrum also spoke about Denmark’s fund-owned corporate model, which ensures local accessibility and impactful investment in strategic projects, stressing that high-level engagements, including visits from the Danish Queen and State Secretary, underscore Nigeria’s importance and the international significance of sub-national collaborations.

She concluded by noting that a follow-up workshop would be essential for identifying specific collaboration areas and fast-tracking initiatives aligned with Nigeria’s progressive and dynamic approach.

The meeting was attended by several top government officials, including the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbarze; Commissioner for Land, Hon. Chaka Chukwumerije; Commissioner for Industries and SMEs, Hon. Mike Akpara, among other Commissioners and s enior government appointees.