Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has attributed the state’s ongoing economic transformation to the successful delivery of the Geometric Power Project, describing it as a landmark investment that has boosted industrial growth, improved electricity supply, and accelerated the adoption of clean transportation.
Governor Otti made the remarks on Friday during the 70th birthday celebration of former Minister of Power and Chairman of Geometric Power Limited, Prof. Barth Nnaji, held at the International Conference Centre in Enugu.
Paying tribute to the renowned engineer and entrepreneur, Otti praised Nnaji’s resilience, innovation, and determination in bringing the Aba Integrated Power Project to fruition after years of challenges.
He described Nnaji as a visionary who embraced Artificial Intelligence and Robotics long before they gained global prominence, noting that the professor completed his undergraduate studies at St. John’s University, New York, in just two years and nine months before earning his master’s and doctoral degrees.
The governor also acknowledged the contributions of several prominent Nigerians to the success of the Geometric Power Project. He credited the 16th Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi II, for facilitating financial support for the project during his time at the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
Otti further commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for approving the Aba Ring-fenced Power Project in 2004 and praised Vice President Kashim Shettima for supporting the gas supply that enabled the commissioning of the Geometric Power Plant in February 2024.
According to the governor, the availability of stable electricity has already transformed Abia’s economy, giving the state the confidence to launch electric buses, with another batch expected to arrive soon.
He urged Nigerians to emulate Nnaji’s perseverance, describing him as an example of resilience and commitment after dedicating over two decades to a project without immediate financial reward.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Energy Security and Innovative Service,” Emir Sanusi described energy security as the foundation of economic growth and cited Abia as a practical example of the transformative impact of reliable electricity.
“If you want to see the impact of electricity on an economy, just look at Geometric and the transformation in Abia. This is living evidence of what people think is theory,” he said.
In his response, Prof. Nnaji expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the Geometric Power Project, giving special recognition to Governor Otti and Emir Sanusi for their support in securing financing and restructuring the project’s loans.
He also thanked family members, friends, associates, and guests for celebrating the milestone with him.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of Nnaji’s biography, “The Man Who Dared: The Story of Bart Nnaji.”
The event attracted several dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Mrs. Uche Azikiwe, senior government officials, captains of industry, academics, and other distinguished guests from across Nigeria.
