EBERE UZOUKWA, PhD
At the Ngwa National Association USA (NNAUSA) Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD, delivered a compelling account of the transformational journey currently unfolding in Abia State. His message of progress, renewal, and hope did not merely inform; it struck a deep chord with the diaspora community, many of whom have long yearned to see their home state reclaimed from years of neglect and repositioned as a beacon of good governance and sustainable development.
In his address titled: “A New Development Paradigm”, Governor Otti reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to visionary leadership anchored on transparency, accountability, and compassion. He reminded Abians in America that his government came to power on the strength of a solemn promise to restore dignity to the people, place the state on the path of prosperity, and banish the hopelessness that had trailed years of maladministration. Today, barely 27 months into his administration, the evidence of transformation is undeniable and is being celebrated well beyond the borders of Abia.
The Otti administration has restored fiscal discipline in the management of public resources. Salaries and pensions are now paid in full and on time every 28th of the month, ending the painful era of backlogs and arrears that once left workers and pensioners demoralised. Beyond the economics, the prompt payment of wages is restoring dignity to labour and rebuilding trust between government and the governed. The introduction of the Treasury Single Account, the cleaning up of payrolls, and the elimination of ghost workers have closed leakages, curtailed waste, and ensured that public funds are directed toward the public good. These reforms have stabilised the state’s finances and created a climate of trust and optimism that is stimulating fresh investments.
Perhaps the most visible evidence of change is in infrastructure. Over 350 roads have been constructed or rehabilitated within the last two years, with a large concentration in Aba, the economic heartbeat of the state. The once forgotten Port Harcourt Road in Aba has been fully reconstructed by Julius Berger, complete with modern drainage to guarantee durability. Other strategic roads such as Aba Owerri Road, Ariaria Market roads, and key arteries in Umuahia have been opened up, fitted with solar powered streetlights, and linked with proper drainage systems. This massive road revolution is breathing new life into commerce, easing the movement of goods and services, and restoring Aba’s pride as the industrial hub of Eastern Nigeria. By linking rural communities with quality road networks, the government has also boosted agriculture, making access to markets easier for farmers and creating pathways to prosperity for ordinary Abians.
Security has also witnessed sweeping reforms. On assumption of office, a state of emergency was declared in the sector, leading to the launch of Operation Crush in collaboration with security agencies. Kidnapping and violent crimes that plagued Umunneochi, Isuikwuato, Lokpanta, and other flashpoints have been drastically reduced, and Abia is now ranked among the safest states in Nigeria. This improved security climate has bolstered investor confidence, extended business hours, and allowed social and economic activities to thrive once again across urban and rural communities.
The human capital sectors of health and education have been firmly prioritised. More than 150 new Primary Health Centres have been built and commissioned, while several general hospitals, including the Abia State University Teaching Hospital in Aba, are undergoing reconstruction. A new state health insurance scheme is saving lives and ensuring that essential healthcare is accessible to rural dwellers and the urban poor. In education, the government has consistently devoted 20 percent of its budget, the highest in the state’s history, to rebuilding schools, recruiting thousands of teachers, and improving learning outcomes. Over 220 schools are currently being renovated, while 20 smart schools equipped with modern digital facilities are under construction across the local government areas. By strengthening STEM education while also making Igbo Language and History compulsory, Governor Otti is nurturing a generation of young Abians who are globally competitive yet culturally rooted.
The transport sector has recorded bold initiatives such as the construction of modern bus terminals in Aba and Umuahia, the imminent delivery of 40 electric buses, and the ongoing expansion of rail links from Aba to Umuahia with spurs to the Obuaku seaport and Ntigha dry port. Agriculture has received a major boost through the distribution of improved inputs to farmers, partnerships with multinational agribusinesses, and targeted investments in palm, cassava, pepper, and maize production. These efforts are not only enhancing food security but also creating export opportunities and lifting rural incomes.
In youth development, the administration has invested heavily in skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and leadership training. Thousands of young people have been trained in digital skills, leather works, fashion, and textiles, with many empowered to start businesses or absorbed into government services. The Abia Export Growth Lab has been launched to standardise and certify Aba made products for international markets, while the Abia Leadership Academy is grooming a new generation of service driven leaders who will anchor the future of the state.
Industrialisation, a cornerstone of Otti’s vision, is being pursued with strategic intensity. The government has moved to resolve perennial power challenges through Geometric Power, the Abia State Electricity Regulation Agency, and plans to acquire the Umuahia business unit of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company. Deals are being finalised to revive moribund industries such as Star Paper Mill, Modern Ceramics, and Aba Textile, with a clear plan to hand them over to competent private operators for sustainable management. By laying this strong foundation, Abia is being positioned for a new era of private sector driven industrialisation that will generate jobs, increase productivity, and expand the state’s GDP.
Institutional reforms are also reshaping governance. Through the establishment of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) and partnerships with UN Habitat, a new masterplan is being developed to remake Aba into a modern, resilient, 21st century city. Waste management systems, urban renewal programmes, and efficient service delivery structures are being strengthened to support this new developmental order.
Governor Otti’s transformation agenda has touched virtually every sector of the state, and its impact is already evident in the improved quality of life of ordinary people. Markets are thriving, roads are motorable, communities are safer, health and education are working again, industries are being revived, and youths are being empowered to take charge of their future. The trajectory is clear: Abia has moved from years of despair into a season of hope, confidence, and sustainable progress.
It is little wonder that at the NNAUSA convention, Otti’s message resonated so powerfully. It was not just the report of a governor but the testimony of a people reclaiming their dignity and reshaping their destiny. In just 27 months, Abia has been firmly placed on the path of renewal, and with sustained focus, the state is poised to become not just a model in Nigeria but a reference point in Africa for visionary governance, people driven development, and transformative leadership.
– Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Public Affairs.