When I wrote Phase 1 of this article titled “The Excellent Way of His Excellency”, I said Governor Alex Otti has found the file of Dee Sam Mbakwe. Today, in Phase 2, I say: He has not only found the file, he is now writing a new file, and Abia is seeing the continuity!
The Excellent Way is not about starting well, it is about continuing well. What he started in Aba, he is now continuing across the whole of Abia State.
- Roads: From Umuahia to Isuikwuato, Abiriba and Ohafia
The roads are speaking! In Umuahia, the capital is now breathing. Traffic lights that were dead for years are now working. Hold-up has reduced from Isi Gate to Abia Tower, on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road, and on the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Akara-Isuikwuato road.
From Nnuya Eluma Road to Isuikwuato, Governor Otti has built a small London! And each road goes with street lights. No road is left in darkness.
In Abiriba, Ohafia and Isuikwuato, history is being made. Abiriba Ring Roads are motorable, Ohafia-Arochukwu and Ohafia-Abiriba roads are under quality construction, and the dreaded Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Akara-Isuikwuato road that killed vehicles for 20 years is now receiving attention.
- Electricity and Infrastructure
Darkness is leaving Abia. The Aba Geometric Power Project is now a reality – Aba industries now have steady light. Street lights are back in Aba and Umuahia. And the modern Abia Central Bus Terminal in Umuahia and the Aba Mega Bus Terminal – first of their kind in the South East – have brought decency to our transport system.
- Education: Free For The Poor, Fair For Private Schools
This is where the continuity is deepest. Governor Otti did not only fix roads, he is fixing the brain of Abia.
In public schools: FREE EDUCATION in all primary and secondary schools! Even the poor can go to school. No child will be put out of school again. Public schools that were dilapidated are now being renovated. Teachers are being retrained and paid as and when due. Abia State University, Uturu, Abia Polytechnic, Aba, and College of Education, Arochukwu – all are receiving attention.
In private schools: Otti has made sure they reduce cost, use ONE BOOK, and stop collecting much money from parents for unnecessary activities. No more multiple taxation on private school owners. They are partners in progress, not enemies. When you fix public schools, you help the poor. When you support private schools, you help the State. Otti is doing both.
- Health: The Hospitals Are Working Again
A healthy Abia is a wealthy Abia. Abia State Specialist Hospital, Amachara, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, General Hospitals in Isuikwuato, Abiriba, Ohafia – all are being retrofitted. Primary Health Centres in all 17 LGAs are being renovated and equipped. Our mothers can now go to the hospital and come back alive.
- Youth Empowerment: The Future Is Secured
The youths are not forgotten. Tech hubs in Aba and Umuahia for digital skills, skill acquisition for tailors, shoemakers and mechanics in Aba, interest-free loans for SMEs, and grants, not just promises, for youths who want to start business. An idle youth is the devil’s workshop, but an empowered youth is Abia’s future.
- Enyimba Hotel and Tourism: Abia’s Pride Is Back
Enyimba Hotel, Aba, that was dead and buried for 20 years, that became a hideout for criminals, is now being rebuilt. When completed, it will create jobs, bring tourism, and restore the glory of Aba.
- Security: Abia Is Now Safe
Today, Abia is one of the safest states in the South East. Operation Crush, the joint security task force, security cameras, patrol vehicles – all have been put in place. Businessmen can now sleep with two eyes closed. Investors can now come to Abia without fear.
- A Leader Who Supervises
Governor Otti is a man that works. If he gives you any contract, he will not just give you the contract and leave you. He will go and supervise what you are doing to know whether you are doing it well. At times he will go through that place unknown to anyone, so that he will make sure the work is supervised well. That is what is called a leader.
- The Name That Speaks: ALEX CHIOMA OTTI
A – A Man of Action: He does not only talk, he acts. What he promises, he does.
L – A Leader Who Listens: He listens to the poor, he listens to the people, he listens to Abia.
E – Excellent In His Work: Everything he touches becomes excellent.
X – Extraordinary In Humility: He is a Governor, but he is humble. He goes to the field unknown to anyone to supervise work by himself.
C – Compassionate To The Poor: He has compassion for the poor. That is why education is free.
H – Honest and Hardworking: He is honest with Abia money, and hardworking day and night.
I – Integrity In Leadership: He does not eat Abia money in secret. He stands for integrity.
O – Open and Honest: He is open to the people. His government is open, his projects are open.
M – A Man of Mercy: He has mercy on pensioners, on workers, on students. He pays them as and when due.
A – Accessible To All: Whether you are rich or poor, high or low, you can reach him.
O – Order and Discipline: He has brought order to Abia. Traffic is controlled, markets are orderly.
T – Transparent In Leadership: Every kobo is accounted for.
T – Tireless In Service: He does not rest. Day and night, he is working for Abia.
I – Integrity and Selfless: He is not selfish. He does not work for himself, he works for Abia.
Conclusion
Abia is not yet Uhuru – meaning total freedom, total perfection – but Abia is no longer in Egypt – meaning the place of suffering, slavery, darkness, bad roads, unpaid salaries, and bondage where we were before.
Go to Isuikwuato and see the road, go to Abiriba and ask, go to Ohafia and hear, go to Umuahia and drive without traffic. Enter public school and see renovation. Enter the hospital and see the doctors. Ask youths and they will tell you they are learning skills.
This is Phase 2. The continuity must continue. Abia is in safe hands.
The Rev. Noble Obialo Uduma is a Minister of God, author and public affairs commentator. He is the Oracle of God’s Grace. He writes from Umuahia.
