

Abia State
N10bn Abia Airport Fund: Shows us the airport or returns the money, Otti to Ikpeazu
- I’m interested in recovering our money, not jailing Ikpeazu — Says Alex Otti
He either shows us the airport or returns the money
Reveals how N10bn was wired through 32 companies
- Promises to publish a full forensic report
As the controversy over how the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, allegedly spent a whopping N10 billion for a non-existent airport project continues to rage, the incumbent Gov. Alex Otti, has said that he was not interested in jailing anybody but only after the recovery of the fund.
Gov. Otti who spoke while responding to a question during a media parley, Thursday night, opened the can of worm on how his predecessor allegedly paid the largesse into the account of a company that never bided for the project, and later instructed the firm to wire the fund into 32 different accounts in tranches.
Otti who wondered what else the act could be called other than graft, vowed that it was either those who swallowed the fund vomited it or “they show us the airport”.
The Governor who said he was not surprised at the initial attempt by his predecessor to deny the withdrawal of the fund from the state coffers, added that all those who played any role in the movement of the fund would certainly have a date with the security agencies.
Gov. Otti promised that very soon the entire forensic audit report conducted by a reputable audit firm would be made public.
He said: “The immediate-past past Governor’s denial is not unexpected. First of all, when it was announced they went to the media abusing the Government and saying Government lied, that there is nothing like that.
“ Then when a media house that got hold of the report published it, of course the next thing was to attempt to explain it away. But that was a report by a very reputable audit firm – KPMG. So, what they said was that they diverted the money into roads. Therefore, it’s up to them to come and show us the roads.
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“ But what is true is that bank statement on the 25th of September 2020 when COVID-19 was dealing with people, a debit went into the state account for N10 billion, and the description was: payment for 80% contract of the Abia airport. That’s true and incontrovertible! The statement and report are there, and will soon be published. I can assure you that it was KPMG that did that forensic audit report.
“ On the 13th of October, almost three weeks after, a letter was written by the then Governor (Ikpeazu), to the State House of Assembly requesting for approval of N10 billion for the construction of Abia airport. On the 14th of October, one day after, a letter was written to the then Governor by the House of Assembly, giving him approval for the N10 billion that he requested for the airport. So, clearly, something went wrong. An ISPO was raised in between these dates.
“ So, our engagements with the contractor that received the money gave an impression that the company was deceived. The Managing Director of the company said that he told them that he had never built an airport before; that it’s not his his area of competence, neither did he apply to them to construct an airport.
“So the people denying, the question for them is: how come money moved into an account of somebody who has said he neither sent a bid for an airport nor has he the competence to construct an airport. Of course, he will respond to security agencies.
“ But according to him, the then government asked him to move the monies elsewhere. He showed us letters from the then Government to move the money in different tranches to 32 companies, and that he did that on the instruction of the former Government.
“ So, like I said, the rest of the work will be done by security agencies. But what is important to our Government is: either that somebody is showing us the airport or somebody is returning our money. That’s what is important to us. We are not interested in the fireworks and all the abuse. We are not even interested in anybody going to jail except if they are telling us that somebody whose money is missing should not look for it. Where I come from, if your property is missing you have to look for it. So, we are looking for our money or in the alternative, our airport!”.
Recall that Ikpeazu had through his ally and former Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, denied any wrong doing in the airport project.
He claimed that the N10 billion payment for the project was rather deployed to road infrastructure on the request of traditional rulers.
[Vanguard]Abia State
Abia governor to relocate agriculture ministry to Umudike

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced plans to relocate the Ministry of Agriculture from its current offices in Umuahia to Umudike, where the Faculty of Agriculture of Abia State University is located.
Otti disclosed the plan on Sept. 23 during an unscheduled visit to the ministry’s headquarters on Bank Road, Umuahia, shortly after swearing in two new commissioners and a special adviser on agriculture.
The governor, accompanied by the commissioners for lands and agriculture, inspected facilities at the premises and expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the buildings. He said the move would provide a more conducive environment to enhance productivity.
Otti added that the state government has also concluded plans to relocate the Faculty of Law from Umuahia back to the university’s permanent site in Uturu.
Ministry staff welcomed the announcement, expressing excitement at the governor’s visit.
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Abia State
Protest in Umuahia as Igbo Elders Demand Release of IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu

Igbo elders on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest at the Abia State Government House in Umuahia, urging Governor Alex Otti and his counterparts in the South East to unite in pressing for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Igbo elders staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday at the Abia State Government House, urging Governor Alex Otti and other South East governors to press for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ahead of a court ruling on his detention.
The group, under the banner of the Igbo Elders Forum, warned that Kanu’s health is deteriorating in custody and accused authorities of denying him adequate medical care.
“We came to register our annoyance and our feelings. Our son is still in detention and is very sick yet they are denying him access to medical care. Why are they negotiating with armed robbers and bandits but still holding him?” spokesperson Emeka Ezebuiro told reporters outside the government house in Umuahia.
The elders said they would extend their appeal to other South East governors, insisting that a united stance could help secure Kanu’s release.
Separately, Igbo Think Tank North America alleged in a letter to Igbo governors and political leaders that a “silent genocide” was underway against Igbo youths, urging protection of communities from killings, invasions and destruction.
A Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to rule on Friday, Sept. 26, on a no-case submission filed by Kanu. The case, originally scheduled for October, was brought forward.
Kanu, arrested in 2021 after jumping bail in 2017, faces charges including terrorism. IPOB has long campaigned for an independent state in southeast Nigeria.
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Abia State
Gov. Alex Otti Receives Super Eagles Player Kenneth Omeruo, Assures Him of Collaboration

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.
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Abia State
Abia Government Graduates Second Batch of Abia Leadership Academy Trainees, Otti Urges Continuous Learning

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.
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Abia State
GOV. OTTI CALLS FOR ORGANISED SYSTEM TO SUPPORT REVERSE MIGRATION.

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.
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