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.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, OFR, has expressed confidence in God towards the actualisation of a second term in office to complete eight years in the governorship seat of Abia State.

Governor Otti stated this on Tuesday, at his office, while receiving in audience members of the old students association of the Federal School of Arts and Science, Aba, who announced their belief that the Governor would be re-elected to complete his laudable projects in Abia State.

According to the Governor, “About 2027, we don’t let it distract us, but you have a point.

” Primaries will happen within the month and then elections will be next year. But, we know that Abia people are not stupid.”They know what is good for them.

“Because of that, we also know that it’s all about politics and I’m not too sure that there is someone that would want to throw away what is good.

“This place is God’s own State, so, at the time that it pleases God, he makes changes here and God doesn’t have unfinished business, or unfinished project.

“So, we are confident that we will complete the projects that we have been asked to do by Abians.

Governor Otti commended the old students of the Federal School of Arts and Science, Aba for their decision to fix one of the hostels in their Alma mater, describing the move as laudable.

“I want to also thank you for your decision to fix one of the hostels.”Is a very laudable action that you have done, because you could have as well ignored.

“I’m sure, there are a lot of members of your school that may not even be coming for these meetings. “So, I want to congratulate you and encourage you to continue, because your story cannot be told without this school.” Gov. Otti stated.

The State Chief Executive thanked the association for the choice of Abia for its bi-annual meeting, noting that, the choice of Abia is commendable.

The Governor disclosed that his decision to support Professor Bart Nnaji to achieve his dream of the Aba power was to ensure that steady power supply is achieved in the State, and commended Prof. Nnaji’s resilience in achieving that.Gov. Otti informed his visitors that an agreement had been signed and Abia was at the point of payment so as to own the Umuahia ringed fence of the EEDC, adding that, when fully realised, the remaining 8 LGAs of the State, including, Umuahia and environs, and the Abia North senatorial zone would be linked to the Geometric power.

“So, there’s excess power. Of course, with an additional turbine, it will be able to generate 188 megawatts. So, the whole idea is to take excess power from Aba to the other eight local governments in Abia Central and Abia North.”We’ve also set up the Abia States Electricity Regulatory Agency.

“And so right now, everything about regulation is within the State. So, we will be detached from the National electricity grid,” Gov. Otti said.

.Speaking earlier, the President, the Old Students Association, Federal School of Arts and Science, Aba, Pharmacist Tony Ejieji while appreciating the good works of Governor Alex Otti in the State, said that they were in the State for their bi-annual meeting of the association.

He noted that Abia is now peaceful and safe, hence, their decision to come to Abia for the meeting which has been taking place in Lagos.

He saluted the transformational projects of Governor Otti which are scattered across the State and urged him to sustain the tempo. Pharmacist Tony Ejieji, who informed the Governor that the alumni of the institution are fixing one of the hostels in their Alma Mater, pointed out the Geometric Power Plant that they visited in Aba and other infrastructural developments they saw in Aba and Umuahia, and expressed the hope and belief that, the opposition would not draw back the wheel of progress in the State under his leadership, urging him to move forward and complete his God given mandate in the State.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

The Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Abia State Chapter, has congratulated Mr Emenike Iroegbu on his emergence as the publicity secretary of the Labour Party in the state.

In a statement endorsed by the public relations officer of the association, Kate Okereke, OMPAN described Iroegbu’s emergence as well-deserved, noting his track record of dedication, competence, and commitment to effective communication and public engagement.

The association expressed confidence in his ability to project the ideals and programmes of the Labour Party, while fostering transparency and strengthening the party’s relationship with the public and the media.

OMPAN further urged him to uphold professionalism, truth, and integrity in the discharge of his duties, emphasizing the critical role of information management in today’s political landscape.

The group wished him a successful tenure and assured him of continued collaboration in promoting responsible media practices and democratic values.