The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, on Tuesday, September 16th, received in his office, an Abia-born – Nigerian International Football player, Kenneth Omeruo, OON, MON, alongside his friend, the General Manager of the Rangers Football Club of Enugu, Amobi Ezeaku Esq. who paid him a courtesy and working visit.

Gov. Otti thanked Kenneth Omeruo for acknowledging the modest achievements of his administration and assured him of the readiness of the Government to collaborate with him to drive his talent hunt initiative as Abia youths are so talented and endowed in sports, academics, commerce, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He directed the Government team to sit down with Kenneth Omeruo and work out the details.

Earlier in his short address, Kenneth Omeruo informed Governor Otti that he had come to appreciate him for restoring the dignity of Abians. He told the Governor that he is so proud to be from Abia and has been using his social media handles to share and repost the good news from Abia, thanking him for bringing his professional touch to Abia.

Mr. Omeruo used the opportunity to intimate Governor Otti of his desire to give back to society through a talent hunt initiative he wants to launch in Abia State to identify young talented footballers who can be mentored and assisted to get into major clubs, especially in Europe and requested collaboration with the State.

In his vote of thanks, the General Manager of Rangers Football Club of Enugu, Bar. Amobi Ezeaku expressed his joy and excitement about the current quality of leadership with professional backgrounds in most South-East States, saying that he is so proud of the exploits of the Governors.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Strategy Officer, Mr. Chinenye Mba Uzoukwu, the Technical Assistant to the Governor, Mr. Charles Egonye and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth, Comrade Onyebuchi Chukwu.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

The Abia State Government has graduated the second batch of trainees from the Abia Leadership Academy, a flagship initiative designed to build a new generation of transformational leaders in the state and across Nigeria.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, emphasized that the programme was conceived to redirect young people toward positive citizenship and charged participants to embrace continuous learning, mentorship, and influence.

“Leadership is the ability to influence and drive outcomes. What we set out to do is to redirect our people—redirect our young ones, their vision, and their thinking. Gone are the days when youths are left to become thugs or indulge in drugs, cultism, and other vices,” Otti stated.

The Governor explained that the Leadership Academy is tied to his administration’s social reorientation agenda, adding that every graduate will be required to mentor at least one person monthly for the next 12 months. He further disclosed that a digital platform has been created to sustain networking and dialogue among alumni.

Chairman of the Abia Leadership Academy and Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, described the vision as one of raising leaders who can create meaningful impact. Also speaking, Pastor Mrs. Eno Jerry-Eze, Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, noted that the academy is becoming a youth-driven movement aligned with the Governor’s “New Mind Economy” initiative.

Earlier, Lead Consultant and Programme Director, Mr. Johnson Abali, outlined the training methodology, which included group-based learning and practical sessions. Participants testified to the life-changing nature of the programme, describing it as a blueprint for Abia’s transformation.

The graduation ceremony was attended by parents, senior government officials, and well-wishers.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has called for an organised system to support reverse migration, saying that such policy would build confidence of Nigerian returnees from foreign countries.

Governor Otti stated this while receiving the Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, who called on him at his office.

The State’s Chief Executive said that he has plans to collaborate with relevant Ministries to provide reintegration support for returnees, noting that many who wish to come back are often discouraged by uncertainty about where to begin their lives.

“Some of them may want to return, but they are afraid of where to even start from.

“If there are organised systems to receive them, I am confident it will encourage their return. The initiative is a form of reverse migration”, Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating human trafficking and related crimes, maintained that his government has zero tolerance for any form of criminal activity.

“We have zero tolerance for any kind of criminal activity. Those who have decided to engage in crime have found out that this place is not comfortable for them.

“We are very focused on ensuring that all forms of crime and criminality are wiped away from this State. And human trafficking is one of them,” Gov. Otti stared.

While appreciating the International Organisation for Migration, Governor Otti underscored the significance of diaspora remittances, saying that it plays a vital role in supporting education, healthcare, and economic stability, among others.

He stressed the need for the IOM to collaborate with the Abia State Diaspora Commission, which regularly convenes stakeholders across America, Europe, Southeast Asia and beyond, in their annual December homecoming, and directed the Executive Secretary of the Commission to ensure he invites the IOM to the annual event.

Governor Otti mandated the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu to provide a temporary office space for the organisation immediately while a permanent office accommodation would be made available sooner than later.

Earlier, the Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration, Sharon Dimanche said that her organisation is interested in four immediate focus areas, including combating human trafficking, harnessing diaspora potential, supporting returnees through sustainable reintegration, and improving data management for migration governance.

While assuring that she is committed to working closely with Abia State in line with the government’s priorities, she commended Abia State Government for pioneering Diaspora Commission as as well as addressing the challenges of human trafficking, illegal migration among others and assured of technical support to the government.

“We are here to work. That work should start immediately.

“I want to see how we can consider establishing structures and mechanisms that would facilitate diaspora sending back money home and investing that in community infrastructure initiatives,” Dimanche stated.

The SSG, Commissioners for Finance, Budget & Planning, Poverty Alleviation, DG, PPP & IP, SA on Policy & Intervention, the Chief Strategy Officer, the Deputy Chief of Staff, the DG Gada and the SSA on Multilateral and Donor agencies among others were present in the meeting.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to leveraging technology in streamlining government operations and improving service delivery.

Speaking during a meeting with top executives of the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc at Government House on Tuesday, Governor Otti emphasized that digitalisation is a non-negotiable tool for building an efficient, transparent, and future-ready public service.

“We must continue to innovate and integrate systems. Truth be told, if you don’t embrace technology, it will leave you behind. Even technology companies become irrelevant if they don’t move with the times,” the Governor stated.

Governor Otti highlighted some of the state’s ongoing reforms, including the complete digitalisation of Abia’s land administration system, from application to Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) issuance. According to him, approvals are now processed electronically from his desk without reliance on paper files.

“This aligns perfectly with where we’re headed,” he added.

The Governor welcomed CSCS’s proposal to support Abia with an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) and called for a technical follow-up session involving key government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, Chief Information Officer, and the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Earlier, Alhaji Haruna Jalo Waziri, CEO of CSCS, commended Governor Otti’s visionary leadership and expressed CSCS’s readiness to partner with Abia in deploying digital solutions across government processes.

“We have moved from just handling settlements to building tech infrastructure that enables seamless document digitisation and market integration,” Waziri said. “We believe the time is right to work with Abia State to digitalise operations and support the people.”

Beyond automation, Waziri also revealed CSCS’s plan to engage Abia’s business community on succession planning and sustainable investment, noting that many Nigerian businesses struggle to transition beyond one generation.

“Our goal is to bring the exchange community and advisors to Abia to help local entrepreneurs build scalable, sustainable enterprises,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr. Adeyinka Shonekan, Executive Director at CSCS, referenced successful digitisation projects executed for institutions like Edo State Government, FIRS, NTA, Polaris Bank, and several Nigerian universities.

He introduced M-Files, the digital platform CSCS deploys to manage workflows and data, assuring Governor Otti of the company’s commitment to delivering impactful results in Abia.

Follow BONA NAIJA for more

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building an inclusive and opportunity-driven Abia, where businesses can thrive regardless of background or origin.

The Governor made this known on Sunday, July 27th, while receiving a delegation of Aba-based businessmen and entrepreneurs led by Mr. Justine Obiajunwa, CEO of SJW Entertainment and a major investor, who paid him a thank-you visit at Government House, Umuahia.

The group applauded the Governor for transforming Aba’s business environment, which has encouraged many former residents to return and invest in the state.

“We are building an Abia that has opportunity for everybody,” Governor Otti stated. “We have just hired 5,394 teachers, and many of them are not from Abia. One applicant from Akwa Ibom told me he simply tried and got lucky. I am more interested in what you have to offer, not where you come from.”

Governor Otti emphasized that his administration’s appointment and recruitment policies are based on merit, competence, and inclusivity, noting that openness to fresh ideas and capital is critical to development.

“Cities like New York, London, and Paris were not built by indigenes alone. They developed by welcoming new people and new ideas,” he added.

Addressing the business community, the Governor called on those still hesitant to return to “think home”, assuring them that Abia is now safe, stable, and business-friendly.

“If you returned in December and are still here, then you’ve truly come back home,” he told the group. “The environment is now conducive. You see vehicles from across Nigeria and even Cameroon and Benin Republic coming to Ariaria daily because we have what they need.”

He praised the delegation for voluntarily coming to express gratitude, noting that such appreciation is rare and deeply valued.

“No Place Like Home” – Obiajunwa

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Justine Obiajunwa recounted how he left Aba ten years ago due to insecurity and poor governance. He revealed that since returning in December 2024, he has not gone back to Lagos because of the positive transformation under Governor Otti’s leadership.

“Aba is now a place I can stay out till 4 a.m. without fear. It feels like Lagos now. You’ve made us proud, and we came only to say thank you,” he said.

Obiajunwa and his colleagues pledged continued support for Governor Otti beyond 2027, citing his competence, accessibility, and sincerity in governance.

Support from Lawmakers

Also speaking, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, Member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South in the House of Representatives, described the Governor as a man of integrity and vision. He said Dr. Otti’s accessibility and commitment stand in stark contrast to past administrations.

The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, lauded the businessmen for recognizing the Governor’s impactful leadership, which he said has positively touched all parts of the state.

“We urge you to be ambassadors of this progress and spread the message of what this government is doing across Abia,” the Speaker said.

Also present at the event were members of the State House of Assembly and Dr. Mathew Ekwuribe, Hon. Commissioner for Culture and Creative Economy.

The visit marks another milestone in Governor Otti’s ongoing engagement with the private sector and reaffirms his administration’s commitment to restoring confidence, stability, and prosperity across Abia State.

By Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State – July 28, 2025

Follow BONA NAIJA for more