Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has described Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, as a true model of ideal leadership, challenging other governors who want to make a mark in leadership to take a cue from him.
Recall that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had also made similar remarks, on Thursday when he was in the state to inaugurate a 46.3-kilometer road reconstructed by Otti.
President Jonathan, an alumnus of the University of Port Harcourt, spoke during the 80s Reunion Dinner and Award ceremony of the alumni in Umuahia.
The former President who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event was represented by Ambassador Godknows Igali as he was in Seoul, South Korea, where he was presented with the 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize award.
Jonathan commended Otti for his developmental strides, saying he had proved that he truly came prepared.
He said: “The presence of Alex Otti in Abia State shows intentionality in leadership. He came prepared. Before now in Abia State, once they say Aba made, people would laugh, but today, people are scrambling for Aba made.
“Let governance in Nigeria take a cue from what you are doing in Abia State; the intentionality of leadership – the leadership that was voted to make a change. Nigerian leaders should strive to make a change as Governor Alex Otti is making in Abia State.”
Meanwhile, Ambassador Igali in his capacity as the Chairman of the event, commended the Alumni of UNIPORT for their impact on the political and socio-economic development of Nigeria.
He explained that they are the only institution in Nigeria that has produced six Governors, and a Vice President who later became the President of Nigeria.
In his speech, Gov. Otti thanked the members of the UNIPORT 80s Alumni for choosing Umuhia for the re-union 12 years after they had their first meeting in Port Harcourt, while Chibuike Amaechi, a member of the group was Governor of Rivers State.
He encouraged his fellow members of the Alumni to join the political space, saying it is not as bad as they thought.
“The political space allows you to impact the larger society positively than the corporate world,”
Otti said when next they would visit, they would be taken to a facility tour of the 200 Primary Health Centers and 221 schools, selected across the 184 wards of the state, currently under reconstruction and upgrading by his administration.
Governor Otti declared that the allocation of 20% and 15% of the annual budget of his administration to the education and health sectors respectively, totaling 35%, was non-negotiable.
The re-union programme featured the tour of some of the ongoing projects being executed by the administration of Governor Otti.
In a remark, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended Gov. Otti for his giant strides in Abia State.
He sought more interventions from the Governor and other Alumni of the university “as the institution has over 40,000 students and 5000 staff.”
The VC noted that providing accommodation for the teeming student population was a major challenge of the institution that required urgent intervention.
The event featured the presentation of Excellence & Service to Humanity awards to some deserving alumni.
Some dignitaries at the event included: Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, former Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State; the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku among others.
