Dodoh Okafor

The journey for the quest to renew our social contract with Ndị Abia took off yesterday as we formally flagged off the Labour Party campaigns at the Umuahia Township Stadium. The occasion also featured the inauguration of the Labour Party Advisory Council, chaired by the former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu. I am grateful to the party leadership, our distinguished party candidates at the national and state levels, our supporters, our fathers of faith and all distinguished guests who joined us for the important occasion. As we begin this campaign journey, I urge all political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace peace, civility and issue-based engagements. Elections should be about ideas, policies and the future we envision for our people, not personal attacks, intimidation or violence. Democracy thrives when differing opinions are respected and every political group is allowed to exercise its legitimate rights. Our message to Abians is clear: the work of rebuilding our State must continue. Over the past 41 months, we have taken deliberate steps to address longstanding challenges, improve infrastructure, strengthen public institutions, expand economic opportunities and restore confidence in governance. The task ahead is to consolidate these gains, deepen development across all sectors and position Abia to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities. I have also reiterated that no opposition party or its supporters should be intimidated, harassed or prevented from carrying out legitimate political activities. Public facilities must remain accessible to all political parties in accordance with established regulations. We must demonstrate that political competition and peaceful coexistence can go hand in hand. I thank the members of our newly inaugurated Advisory Council for accepting this responsibility and look forward to their contributions to the party's success across the State. As we look towards the February 6, 2027 election, I invite Abians to engage with our programmes, examine our record, study our manifesto and participate actively in the democratic process. LABOUR PARTY! FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER!

Yesterday, I commissioned four completed infrastructure projects at the Nigerian Navy College of Accounts and Finance, Owerrinta, reaffirming our commitment to supporting federal institutions and security agencies operating in Abia State. The projects include a resurfaced parade ground and newly paved internal roads, as well as a reconstructed swimming pool and a 10-unit officers’ transit accommodation building, supported by the Abia State Government and undertaken by the Nigerian Navy. Our intervention reflects a simple but important principle: good governance thrives on collaboration, shared responsibility and a common commitment to the welfare of our people. Federal institutions operating in Abia serve not only our state but also the wider Nigerian public. Supporting them is, therefore, an investment in our collective progress. I sincerely appreciate the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (represented by Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Ebubu-Eleme, Rivers State) and the Commandant of the Naval College at Owerrinta, Commodore Babatunde Quadri for their partnership, service and commitment to the development of the institution and the security of our people. I also commended the Nigerian Navy for its partnership with our administration in addressing security challenges and urged all security agencies to sustain their efforts to protect lives and property. In this regard, we welcomed further discussions on the proposed naval base at Azumini to strengthen security around the proposed Abia seaport, whose feasibility studies have so far been encouraging. Beyond infrastructure, the Nigerian Navy College continues to contribute to internal security and community relations, including through medical outreach programmes for residents of neighbouring communities. We also thank the Navy for partnering with the Abia State Leadership Academy during the 2026 Leadership Training Bootcamp. These efforts demonstrate the value of partnerships that combine security, service and community development. We remain committed to building strong institutional partnerships, improving infrastructure, strengthening security and creating an enabling environment for investment, employment and economic growth.

Yesterday at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, I had the honour of hosting our brilliant students who represented Abia State and Nigeria at the International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar 2026. To recognize their outstanding achievement, we awarded ₦1 million each to the five debate champions, alongside special rewards to their officials and schools. In addition, the Alex Otti Foundation will sponsor the full education of Miss Esther Christian, the team captain, up to university level. We also celebrated Miss Onyinyechi Okonkwo, winner of the National Essay Competition, with a ₦1 million prize, and extended support to Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School, which produced the champions. Our students brought home four trophies and twelve medals, defeating six countries and making Abia and Nigeria proud. This victory is proof that with the right investment, our education sector can soar to greater heights. As I said: “This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well, we celebrate you.” Congratulations once again to our champions. You are the future we believe in, and together, we will continue to transform education in Abia State.

It was my pleasure yesterday to officially flag off the reconstruction of the 3.095km Uratta Road and the 3.955km Old Express Road in Aba. These are two critical routes that had suffered neglect for more than two decades. I assured our people that funding for every phase of these projects had been fully secured and that the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), had already mobilised equipment to the sites to deliver quality work. These roads were not only set to be rebuilt but modernised with proper drainage systems, street lighting to enhance safety, bus stops for commuters, and clear road markings to improve traffic management. Old Express Road was flagged off to be reconstructed as a dual carriageway linking Port Harcourt Road to Faulks Road, while Uratta Road is to be built as a single carriageway connecting Port Harcourt Road to the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. This intervention formed part of the Greater Aba Road Infrastructure Restoration Programme under the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Programme (ABSIIDP), supported by partners including the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and Canadian Climate Fund. I stated that in 24 months or less, these projects would be completed, ending decades of untold hardship for residents and businesses. Aba would once again thrive as the heartbeat of commerce and industry in our region. I sincerely appreciate our supporters, well-wishers, and residents who trooped out en masse to grace the flag-off ceremony. Your presence and encouragement reaffirmed our collective commitment to rebuilding Aba and restoring its pride of place. I urged all residents and business owners along these corridors to cooperate with the contractors, fulfil their civic obligations, and support this transformation. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, our beloved Enyimba City, is coming alive again.

Today, I reaffirmed our administration’s commitment to a stronger, more accessible judiciary. At the Thanksgiving Service marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year, I announced plans to commission 10 new ultra-modern courthouses across Abia State. - Five will be commissioned before the end of this year. - The remaining five will follow early next year. - We are also flagging off the construction of state-of-the-art Court Complexes in Aba and Umuahia, each featuring a 1,000-seat auditorium. This initiative reflects our belief that the environment in which justice is delivered matters. By modernizing court facilities, we are ensuring that judicial officers have the tools and spaces they need to uphold the rule of law effectively. We will also continue to drive digitalisation across the executive, legislature, and judiciary, making government processes more efficient and accessible to citizens. The judiciary remains a vital pillar of democracy, and while cooperation among the three arms of government is essential, we will always respect constitutional boundaries and uphold due process. I congratulate the Honourable Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai and the Abia State Judiciary on the commencement of their new legal year and look forward to a season of progress, fairness, and justice for all.

I received with sadness the news of the passing of Prof. Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe, OFR, an illustrious Abian. Prof. Ibe was not only a distinguished academic and philanthropist but also offered himself for leadership in our state, reflecting his commitment to Abia’s progress. His remarkable contributions to education, research, and human development enriched Abia and Nigeria at large. On behalf of my family, the government, and the good people of Abia State, I extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and associates. May we find comfort in the impactful life he lived, and may his soul rest in peace. — Dr. Alex Otti, OFR Governor, Abia State

It was a proud moment yesterday at the 2026 Alex Otti Foundation Scholarship Banquet, held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia. We welcomed and celebrated 81 exceptional young scholars who have joined our scholarship programme, and recognised six outstanding beneficiaries who graduated with First-Class Honours. In recognition of their remarkable achievement, I presented each of the six First-Class graduates with a reward of ₦500,000, and challenged all our scholars to pursue excellence with discipline, humility, and commitment. As part of our continuing investment in education and human capital development, I also announced an increase in the annual Alex Otti Foundation scholarship award from ₦250,000 to ₦350,000 per beneficiary, and directed that the new award be extended to all current scholars still in school. Since 2019, the Foundation has supported hundreds of deserving young people through a transparent and strictly merit-based scholarship programme. Importantly, the Foundation’s activities are independent of politics, and its objective will outlive my political career. Our belief remains unchanged: education is one of the most powerful tools for overcoming poverty, expanding opportunities, and building a prosperous society. I congratulate our scholars and encourage them to remain focused, grateful, and committed to making a positive difference in the world. The future belongs to those who prepare for it. I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr. Nnanna Chidiebere, his dedicated team, and the panelists for the excellent work they have done in sustaining this vision.

Today at the 3rd Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara Lecture and Founder’s Day Celebration of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), I had the privilege of reflecting on the timeless legacy of Dr. Michael Okpara. He was a leader whose vision and courage transformed the Eastern Region and set a golden benchmark for development in Nigeria. Leadership, at its core, is about bold ideas that empower people and build prosperity for generations. Dr. Okpara embodied this truth, and six decades later, his works remain immortal, inspiring us to embrace service beyond self. I sincerely appreciate the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ursala Ngozi Akanwa, for sustaining this important lecture series, and commend the guest lecturer, Mr. Seyi Ebenezer, for his insightful presentation on “Leveraging Technology in Agriculture.” My gratitude also goes to the Chairman of the occasion, Prince Arthur Eze, ably represented by Prince Dr. Emeka Eze, for his unwavering commitment to human capital development. As we celebrate MOUAU’s Founder’s Day, let us recommit ourselves to reviving agriculture, harnessing technology, and insisting on quality leadership. The Abia State Government is already leading efforts to resuscitate the oil palm economy, and with collective resolve, we can turn agriculture into an engine of national prosperity. Dr. Okpara’s legacy reminds us that good works never die. They live on, lighting the path for future generations.