Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

The vice chancellor of Michael Okpara university of Agriculture, Prof. Ursula Akanwa has explained circumstances surrounding the directive to refund students who made payments before release of their loans by federal government.

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By Editor, Umuahia

The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has directed the immediate removal of administrative bottlenecks delaying the implementation of the approved allowances of the members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Abia State.

Governor Otti gave the directive in his office, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, while receiving a delegation of the new state coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Yunusa Tanimu.

Governor Otti, who expressed surprise that the payment has not started, noted that he had approved the payment and made adequate provisions for its payment, and directed the commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, who was present at the visit to liaise with the Head of Service and ensure immediate implementation.

” I am surprised that the extra allowance that I approved had not been implemented. I am surprised about that.

“Please, can you (Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development) ensure that whatever it is, it has to be dealt with immediately.

“Because the last time, I was told, it’s about BVN, and I’m sure I tried to solve it. So, if there is any other problem, please, can you get the Head of Service to solve it?

“So, I already have given the approval, and we have made provisions for it. So, if it’s not been implemented, it’s of no use to us. It’s already provided for.

“So I’m surprised to hear that it hasn’t been done. I knew about the time when we argued about BVN, and I stepped in and resolved it.
“That was before you (new State Coordinator) came,” Gov. Otti stated.

The Governor, while thanking the State Coordinator for identifying with him, and for seeing himself as an Abia indigene, noted that anyone who lives and does business in Abia state is regarded as an indigene of the state as there is no state of origin in Abia State under his administration.

“So, I want to welcome you, and assure you that this State is happy to have you. You can feel free, and go anywhere. Our people are hospitable people, and we love visitors too,” he said.

The Governor, appreciated the contributions of the NYSC members to the success of his government, adding that, “they are teaching in schools or in their hospitals. And we believe that whatever we can do to make their stay comfortable, we will do.

Earlier in his address, the new state coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) , Alhaji Yanusa Tanimu said he came to familiarise with the Governor having assumed duty.

Alhaji Tanimu appealed for the full and expeditious implementation of the state allowance approved for corps members in Abia State .

He congratulated the Governor, on his numerous accomplishments in the state, especially in the areas of infrastructural development as well as other policies and projects that are geared towards advancing the economic prosperity, peace and stability of the State.

“I am pleased to place on record the fact that NYSC is a beneficiary of the people-oriented strides of the Abia State Government under your purposeful leadership.

“Today, I stand here to once again express our profound gratitude for the following remarkable gestures: comprehensive renovation of corps members’ hostels and multi-purpose hall at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Umunna, construction of internal roads in the camp, provision of solar-powered street lights in the camp, approval of funds for the augmentation of corps members’ feeding, fueling of power generators and other logistics for the conduct of orientation courses, approval of enhanced allowance for corps members serving in the state and provision of new office accommodation for the NYSC secretariat in the state capital.

“In addition, we have been reliably informed that His Excellency has approved funds for the supply of furniture to the new office,” Alhaji Tanimu said.

He assured the Governor that, NYSC remains committed to contributing to the progress and development of Abia State and Nigeria.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

The Catholic Diocese of Aba has celebrated and honoured the governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti for his empatheticand humane disposition in leadership.

The church during a special Sunday Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church, CKC, Aba, on Sunday, June 14, 2026 openly extolled the feats of the governor since assuming office in 2023.

Delivering his homily, the bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Professor Augustine Echema, said leadership and power must be about the people.

Taking his text from Matthew 9:36, he noted that the Lord Jesus Christ was moved with compassion for the crowd because their leadership had failed them.

He likened governor Otti to a leader with passion and pity for Abia people, stating that the governor needed no campaign.

“We have a man of integrity and nobody needs to campaign for governor Otti, his works will campaign for him.

“You are worth supporting. This is the first time the Catholic Diocese of Aba is honouring a governor,” bishop Echema said.

He thanked Governor Otti for wiping the tears of Abia people and for proving that government is truly about the people.

The Bishop also urged all Catholic faithful to take advantage of the ongoing voters’ registration exercise to obtain their PVCs to exercise their civic responsibility during elections.

The laity comprising the three statutory bodies of the church, CMO, CWO, and CYON, took turns to appreciate the governor for “his excellent and people centered leadership.”

They described him as a “silent achiever” who had touched the lives of ordinary Abia residents especially in Aba, recalling the years of suffering before his emergence due to lack of access roads.

Each body presented the governor with special gifts.

In his response, Governor Otti thanked the Church and its organs for the rare and generous endorsement.

“Even if you pay the Catholic Church a billion dollars, they will not do the wrong thing. This is your government and we will never disappoint you,” the governor reassured.

Governor Otti pledged to continue working for the people of Abia State and gave assurances on the next phase of his administration.

“You ain’t seen nothing yet. We have just dealt with the hygiene issues – cleaning up the environment, roads, water, etc. We are now focusing more on Healthcare, Education, Technology, Industrialization and others.

“We will soon embark on the complete recovery of Aba by flagging off the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express. Any project we can’t find the money for, we don’t start. We have found the money. It is in the bank, and the flag-off will happen soon,” Governor Otti said.

The Governor also promised support for the ongoing CMO Secretariat Project and other projects by CWO and CYON which represent the men, women, and youths of the church.

The mass was attended by prominent men and women in government and business.