Perspective

Perspective: Defraying salary arrears; Why Otti was “desperate” to govern Abia – Okoro.

Published

1 year ago

September 19, 2024

csunews

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 General Elections, Mr Peter Obi, in a recent television interview, said in clear terms that he is not desperate to be the President of Nigeria but determined to see the millions of out of school children get back to school and seeing Nigeria move on the path of growth and working for all Nigerians.Reading through the published report reminded me about Gov.

Alex Otti’s response to a similar question in one of his campaign outings ahead of the 2023 General Elections, when he was reacting to the insinuation by the then ruling-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) about being “desperate” to govern Abia.And, like Obi, his response was that he was not desperate to become Abia Governor but only driven by an irresistible urge to end the 24 years of bad governance in the state, characterised by the huge infrastructure deficit, irregular and non-payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, non-functional health facilities, a dysfunctional educational system and a rapidly growing poverty index.

According to him, those were the concerns that drove his ambition to become Abia Governor. Little wonder, therefore, why he hit the ground running as soon as the Independent National Electoral Commission pronounced him the winner of the governorship poll. And he has left no one in doubt that he came prepared and willing to frontally confront the enormous hydra-headed challenges bequeathed to him by the uninspiring, lousy administration of PDP and Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.

Systematically, he has been attending to those critical sectors that propel socio-economic growth and development in any society which were neglected and left to rot for the PDP’s two decades plus in Abia. Without any exaggeration, the governor has so far proved his sincerity of purpose and commitment, considering the sustained rehabilitation, reconstruction and outright construction of failed roads that hitherto impeded smooth movement of people and goods within and around the state, to the renovation and retrofitting of the major hospitals in the state, notably the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, General Hospital, Amachara, Specialist Hospital, Umuahia and currently moving to upgrading and equipping 200 health centres in all the 184 Wards in the state.Presently, there are ongoing reforms in the education sector, including structural and curriculum upgrade.

There is also a retraining programme for 2000 teachers taking place in phases. The essence is to equip them so they can impart the right knowledge to the students and prepare them adequately for the contemporary competitive world.

On road infrastructure, Governor Otti has at the last count fixed 108 strategic roads, evenly distributed across the three senatorial districts of the state. And, while some of the roads were rehabilitated via direct labour by the Ministry of Works, many were either awarded for outright reconstruction or construction by renowned construction companies, including the almighty, globally recognised construction giant, Julius Berger Plc. Driving into Umuahia today from the Abia Tower on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway through the former Ossah Road, now rechristened Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard, leaves one with a wonderful and exciting experience common with the welcoming and refreshing ambience of an arrival into a capital city.

Thanks to the well-paved, beautifully laid out, reconstructed and expanded dual carriageway, with pedestrian walkways on either side and streetlights on the long stretch median that terminates at Michael Okpara Roundabout.

Already, enormous construction work is currently ongoing on the Port Harcourt Road in Aba, a strategic road that used to be a beehive of industrial and commercial activities, connecting the popular Asannetu SpareParts Market.

It was scandalously abandoned by the previous three PDP-led administrations to “dilapidate” and become “unmotorable” throughout their tenures. The present administration’s zero pothole policy, being implemented by the ministry, has helped to give roads in Umuahia, the state capital, and commercial city of Aba, an elaborate facelift. And for the first time in the history of Abia, a government has initiated and intentionally embarked on a light-up programme in the two major cities of Umuahia and Aba.

The intention, aside from enhancing the security of lives and property, is to promote the aesthetic beauty of the towns.But, above all of those positives from the LP government, one major campaign promise that readily endeared Otti to the Abia electorate was his consistent pledge to clear the humongous salary and pension arrears accummulated by Ikpeazu’s government.

I recall that he would follow up his promise by jocularly telling his audience, “Do not ask me how I intend to do it. This is my trade secret”.While the salary arrears stretched between three and 33 months for some ministries, agencies and parastatals of government, pension payment was in arrears of about 45 months.And no sooner was he inaugurated as the State Governor than he began to put the necessary machinery in place to actualise his promise.

Aside from the political gain, the former bank chief believes that a prostrate economy, such as Abia’s, can be reflated when workers are paid their wages as and when due to meet their daily demands. So, with great determination and forthrightness (as some would say, like joke, like joke), Gov. Otti squarely and summarily tackled and liquidated the arrears of salaries owed to civil servants, eliminating the phantom dichotomy between the core and uncore ministries – an obnoxious policy created by an insensitive administration to cause unnecessary friction and unhealthy administrative bottleneck that illogically permitted the payment of one and neglecting the other.

Today, Abia civil servants, both core and uncore, as well as retirees regularly and promptly receive their monthly salaries and pensions. Gladly, this has become the new normal in God’s Own State.But more remarkable and earthshaking was the news that set the Abia Polytechnic, Aba agog on Friday.

It all started like an incredible and fictional episode in a drama series, with one, two, three bank alerts and so on until the alert hit workers cellphones left, right and centre on campus, showing the payment of three months salary arrears.

The development sparked off spontaneous jubilation among the recipients, which included both the academic and non-academic staff members of all the institutions in the state that were in arrears of their salaries.

It was simply celebration galore as many went into dancing and praise-singing in appreciation of a God-sent, sympathetic and benevolent Governor, who chose to remember a people so economically scorched and at a critical moment as now.

The payment was a fulfilment of the Governor’s recent promise to defray the accummulated N17.6 Billion salary arrears owed to staff of the state-owned tertiary institutions by the immediate past administration. According to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the payment will follow a 12-month armortisation plan with the first batch already disbursed to the affected institutions. “This structured payment is meant to ensure that other areas of governance do not suffer from the lack of attention due to limited financial resources.”By this development, the Dr Alex Otti- led administration has once more demonstrated its committment to the promotion and sustenance of the welfare of Abia civil servants at all times,” Kanu said.

The news of the Governor’s kind gesture spread through the length and breadth of Abia and beyond like a wild harmattan fire after a video of the polytechnic workers’ celebration took over the online media space.The story became the big talk of the town – in market places, commuter vehicles, eateries, bars and public places – as residents hailed the magnanimity of the Governor, who they happily described as “ekwu eme” (meaning a man of his words).

Again, as in other serious interventions in other critical sectors, Gov. Otti has demonstrated that his word is his bond, meaning that he can be trusted at all times to fulfill all his campaign promises, one step at a go. Interestingly, he has become the toast of Abia workers in the state-owned higher institutions, whose homes became electrified and enlivened on Friday with the joy and ecstasy that were activated by the bank alerts. Gladly, too, this is happening at a time many parents and guardians are grappling with the biting economic difficulties, amidst sleepless nights on how to cope with the imminent resumption of schools in the state after the long vacation.

With the Governor’s performance chart consistently on the rise in the 16 months of his visionary and purposeful leadership, can anyone still query why he was irreversibly and aggressively determined and uncompromising, almost at the point of desperation, to send the mediocre and non-performing PDP administration packing at a time Abia’s development trajectory was steadily on a reverse motion?And as the ovation for Friday’s miracle for Abia Poly and other tertiary educational institutions continues, the Governor’s close allies say “you ain’t seen nothing yet!” Meaning that Gov. Otti has more goodies in stock for Abia and its good people. And, if he had made so much accomplishments in physical infrastructure as well as other impactful programmes and policies without borrowing a dime, it is only left to imagination what would become of Abia by the time he accedes to augmenting the limited state resources at his disposal with a bank facility. Indeed, a new Abia is here.

To God be the glory!!!

Eagle Okoro is a Public Affairs analyst and writes from Umuahia

News

OMPAN AGM: Dep. Speaker Benjamin Kalu Ph.D as Patron

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2025

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Ph.D, CFR, is the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of
Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he represents the Bende Federal
Constituency of Abia State.

He is a seasoned legislator, legal practitioner, international
businessman, peace advocate, and global thought leader in governance and development.

Kalu’s career spans over two decades of impactful service across the public and private sectors.
He began as Chairman, Bende Local Government Area of Abia state, and later served as Executive
Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and
International Relations before rising to national prominence in the House of Representatives. First
elected in 2019, he distinguished himself serving as the Chairman, House Committee on Media
and Public Affairs as well as the Spokesperson of the House; role he handled with clarity,
diplomacy and excellence.

As Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee
on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) he leads one of the most consequential
national assignments, shaping constitutional reforms that deepen democracy, promote inclusion, and
national unity.

He also represents Nigeria on the global stage as Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament
Committee on Administration, Finance and Budget; Member of the Pan-African
Parliament; Steering Committee Member of the WTO Parliamentary Conference; and Member of
the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Academically, Kalu is deeply grounded. He holds a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Calabar and
a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Strategic Studies from the University of Abuja. He also earned an LL.M
in Terrorism and International Humanitarian Law (with Distinction) from the University of Calabar,
an MBA from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2011.
Kalu has further enriched his expertise through executive programs at prestigious institutions,
including; Leadership for the 21st Century, Harvard Kennedy School, USA, Governance &
Development Program, Miami Herbert Business School, University of Miami, USA,
Environmental Crimes, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
(UNICRI), Italy, Migration and Human Rights, John Cabot University, Italy, Illicit
Trade, University of Groningen, Netherlands, International Commercial Arbitration, Chartered
Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), UK.

His scholarly contributions include published works on climate adaptation policy, food security,
and security sector reforms in Africa, underscoring his role as a scholar-practitioner bridging
research and governance.

In the private sector, Kalu has held various leadership positions across Africa, Europe, and
Australia including as Director at Solcarbon SA-NV (Belgium), Ozbok Australia PTY LTD
(Sydney), and Belcarbon SA (Belgium). He also serves as Principal Arbitrator at Silk Partners LLP
(Nigeria), where he advises on commercial law, arbitration, and international business strategy.

Kalu’s passion for peace and development finds expression in the Peace in the South East Project
(PISE-P), an initiative he convened to promote dialogue, inclusivity, and non-kinetic solutions to
security challenges in Nigeria’s South East. His humanitarian footprint also extends through
the Benjamin Kalu Foundation, which for over two decades has provided interventions
in healthcare, education, and empowerment for youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,
conferred on him the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu stands as a visionary leader for the 21st century blending law,
policy, diplomacy, and humanitarianism to shape a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous
Nigeria, Africa, and world.

News

OMPAN AGM: OGAH – ANOTHER PATRON

Published

4 days ago

December 9, 2025

csunews

By Editor, Umuahia

The Annual general meeting of the online media publishers association of Nigeria, Abia State will feature the investiture of patrons on some select persons who have excelled in various fields of endeavour.

One of the patrons is Hon Amobi Godwin Ogah.

Born on the 16th of June, 1980, to the family of late Wilson and Ogbonneya Ogah of Onuaku, Uturu, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, he acquired his early education at Udoka Primary School Awka, in Anambra State, Nnachi High School in Enugu State, and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in economics from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

Driven by passion for service, socio-economic upliftment and job creation which has consistently marked his journey, he served as the executive director of seven subsidiary companies under the Pauli-Mama Group of Companies and other companies outside the group.

“Aguneche Ibe” as he is fondly called, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Economics, a Member of the Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce (NACC), and a member of the Global Trade Club of Spain.

In 2019, Amobi Ogah was called upon by the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi to represent them at the House of Representative but later withdrew his aspiration to pave way for his immediate predecessor serving for a record 4th term.

On February 25th, 2023, Amobi yielded to yet another call from the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi to seek election, hence, he was overwhelmingly voted into office as the Member representing Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Federal Constituency under the platform of the Labour Party.

His resounding victory ended the 16 years reign of his predecessor, a victory which is widely described as one of the greatest political upset of the 2023 election.

At the 10th Assembly, Hon Ogah is the Chairman, House Committee on Infectious Diseases. He has demonstrated impeccable character and capacity in his legislative mandate with several motions, bills, and oversight responsibilities to his credit.

Some of the Bills include: the National Institute for Organic Agriculture and Food Safety Research, Ulonna North, Isuikwuato Abia State; Creation Of Uturu-Chieze Local Government Area; Creation of Etiti State; Federal School of Nursing and Midwifery, Uturu, Abia State; Tuberculosis (anti-discrimination) Bill, Private Institutions and Health Care Services Providers (prohibition) Bill; Fifty-Year National Economic Plan Act for Nigeria; as well as the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS Act (amendment) Bill.

Ogah is a philanthropist who is in tune with the yearnings of his constituents, having empowered many, including women and youths of his constituency with skills for self-reliance

He has enrolled several youths on full-funded educational scholarship, with infrastructural upgrade of his constituency cutting across roads, medical outreach, health facilities, constructed markets and several other facilities to improve the quality of life.

In similitude, Hon Ogah has organized series of empowerment programmes to cushion the economic hardship of his constituents. Some of these include; the 2019 empowerment outreach; 2024 empowerment programme held on the 16th of November, as well as the recently organized 1-billion-naira empowerment of his constituents held on December 6th, 2025, where cars, mini buses, tricycles, motorcycles, deep freezers, grinding machines, industrial sewing machines, and many other items of economic boost were distributed.

Hon Amobi Ogah is married to a supportive wife, Maureen and the union is blessed with children.

Perspective

OMPAN AGM: LOC UNVEILS PROPOSED PATRONS

Published

4 days ago

December 9, 2025

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

As the Online Media Publishers Association of Nigeria prepares for its annual general meeting, some of those who will be invested patrons of the body are being made public knowledge.

Hon Peter Chigozie Azubuike is one of them. He is an indigene of Umuogele in Mbano Ntighauzo Autonomous Community in Obingwa L.G.A of Abia state, fondly called “The Rock.”

Hon. Azubuike is a renowned industrialist with over ten (10) years experience in the Oil, and Gas sector of Nigeria.

The Rock holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (B.sc) in Biochemistry. He is the C.E.O. of Petbridge Nig. Ltd.

Further, Hon. Azubuike is a philanthropist who has sponsored the training of over twenty (20) youths in Oil, and Gas Industry across the nation, and the world.

As a philanthropist, he has empowered numerous youths, and widows in various skills in small, and medium enterprises through his foundation.

He has equally sponsored the first (1st) ever held Agalaba Cultural Carnival, and the third (3rd) ever held Agalaba People’s Forum Football Tournament.

He has sponsored over 50 school children in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions trained over fifty (50) pupils in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in the academic pursuit.

A passionate investor in human, and infrastructural development, he has been is one of the Patrons of Abia State Community Policing/Vigilante Group (ASCP), supporting it with mobilities (vehicles and motorcycles).

He is a stakeholder in Labour Party (L.P) in Abia state, and across the nation.and once aspired to become the chairman of Obingwa L.G.A. Abia state under the All Progressive Congress (APC)..

Hon. Azubuike also contested for the seat of Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency on the same platform and contested for the seat of Abia State House of Assembly, Obingwa East state constituency on the platfirm of the Labour Party (L.P).

He is the current Chairman, Stakeholders of Labour Party Obingwa L.G.A of Abia state and also the Chairman, stakeholders of Abia-Arise, Obingwa L.G.A of Abia state.

Hon. Peter Azubuike is the brainchild of Peter Azubuike Humanitarian Foundation (PAHUF), and Obingwa Youths’ Summit (OYS) comprising young vibrant youths with ideas, innovations, and potentials for the development of the society.

He has empowered numerous youths, and widows.

Hon. Azubuike is happily married with children.