By Editor, Umuahia

Members of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Abia State Chapter, on Friday handed over an award plaque to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu as a patron of the association.

The award according to the state chairman, Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro is in recognition of his unmatched support for the association over the years.

Presenting the plaque to him at his country home in Bende, the Abia State Chairman of OMPAN, said the Deputy Speaker was selected alongside ten other eminent Abia indigenes for their assistance to unveiled as patrons of the association due to their consistent contributions to the growth and progress of the union.

Chief Okoro recalled that the Deputy Speaker was formally unveiled as a Patron during the association’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on December 12, 2025, but was unavoidably absent at the event.

“You will recall that during our 3rd Annual General Meeting on December 12, 2025, we unveiled our Patrons, and the Deputy Speaker was among them, unfortunately, he was not available to attend the event, and that is why we are here today to formally present the plaque,” he said.

He further appreciated the Deputy Speaker for his instrumental role in ensuring that OMPAN Abia State now has a physical office, describing the gesture as a landmark achievement for the association.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of OMPAN, Mazi Ugochukwu Nwankwo, said that if there was a higher honour than the Patron award, the association would have gladly bestowed it on the Deputy Speaker, whom he described as the strongest supporter of OMPAN.

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu expressed gratitude to the association for finding him worthy of the honour.

He advised members to expand their blogging focus beyond politics to include economic development, humanity, and other sectors that positively impact society.

The Deputy Speaker commended OMPAN for recognizing the future of media by coming together under a unified online platform and assured the association of his continued support.

He also urged members to remain professional and non-partisan, cautioning them against allowing themselves to be used as tools to attack or undermine individuals or institutions.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

eAbia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has said that, his successor in 2031 will be better than himself, adding he was laying a solid foundation for the development of the state.

Governor Otti stated this during the grande reception service organised in his honour by the Assemblies of God Church, Okaiuga – Nkwoegwu, Umuahia North LGA.

The governor said that he was just starting, and the time for the aggressive development of Abia State was then, adding that the curse that had held the State down has been broken.

“We have just started. We are not three years yet. So, you can imagine what will happen by the time we are done in 2031.

“So, you know there is a time and a season for everything. So, what we have started is the time for the aggressive development of Abia State.

“The news I have for Abia people is that we have broken that curse that held us down and whoever is going to succeed me will be better than me.

” So, when people think we are going to go back to them, they must be dreaming, we’ve moved,” Gov. Otti said.

Governor Otti said that, he believed in Psalms chapter 62 verse 11, which declared that, “God has spoken once, twice, have I heard this? That power belongs to God.

“So, you can do everything you want to do but, if it wasn’t God’s time, it will not work and when it’s God’s time, even if you are sleeping, God will wake you up,” he said.

.On their request for provision of a bus for evangelism and land for prayer camp, governor Otti confirmed to them that they would receive a hummer bus this week, courtesy of Prince, Dr. Arthur Eze, one of their guests.

He also directed the Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, to meet with the Church leadership and work out modalities for securing a land for them as requested.

The State Chief Executive, who appreciated Churches in the State for the support given to his administration, thanked Assemblies of God Church for the reception organised for him.

Earlier in his speech, the District Superintendent, Assemblies of God Church, Jerusalem District, Rev. Dr Kenneth Ogbudu described the reception ceremony as a significant moment of history, and appreciation.

He said that Dr Alex Otti is a transformational leader, whose emergence has redefined governance in Abia State. He noted that, many administrations have come and gone but Governor Otti’s tenure represents a clear and commendable departure from the past.

“For the first time in our State’s history, governance is driven by competence, transparency, accountability, visible impact, and more promises and verifiable results.

“Under your (Gov. Otti’s) leadership, Abia State has witnessed a bold and deliberate restoration of public infrastructure – roads abandoned for decades have been reconstructed and reopened, “Connecting communities, easing transportation, stimulating commerce, and restoring the dignity of both urban and rural environments” Rev. Ogbudu said.

Rev. Ogbudu went further to note that the renewal of critical road networks across Aba and beyond by Governor Otti has revived economic activities and repositioned Abia State as a credible destination for investment.

He also said that beyond infrastructure, the administration has introduced “a new culture of fiscal discipline and prudent resource management.

“”Salaries and pensions are now paid with regularity and respect, restoring hope and dignity to the workers and retirees who were once forgotten. “For the first time since the creation of Abia State, public funds are being managed with transparency, accountability and confidence.

“Your excellency has also demonstrated uncommon courage in institutional reforms, cleaning up public systems, strengthening governance structures, and insisting that public office must serve the people rather than personal interests,” Rev. Ogbudu maintained.

The servant of God used the opportunity to request the Governor to provide them with a Hummer bus to support evangelism and the allocation of land for a prayer village for the Church.

The wife of the Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, the member representing Ikwuano/ Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly and other members, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba Ph.D, Commissioner for Transport Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants to the Governor, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu among others were present at the reception service.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Tributes poured in on Saturday 10th January, 2026 as the family of Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, popularly known as Don Lulu, laid his beloved mother, Late Dame Peace Igbokwe, to rest.

The burial of the matriarch who kicked the bucket on October 24, 2025, at the age of 60 attracted the high and mighty of Abia politics, captains of industry, entertainers and friends and well wishers.

The funeral service was held at Wesley Cathedral Church, Umuwaya Road, Umuahia, where the Conference Secretary of the Methodist Church, Umuahia Archdiocese, His Grace, Dr. Babatunde Taiwo, delivered an uplifting homily.

In his sermon titled “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled,” bishop Taiwo extolled the exceptional virtues of the late Dame Peace Igbokwe, describing her as a woman of substance, courage, and valor.

He consoled the bereaved family, urging them not to be overwhelmed by grief but to find peace in the assurance that their mother was in a better place.

The cleric emphasized the fragility of the human heart, warning against excessive worries and stress, which he said could lead to heart-related illnesses.

He encouraged individuals to make their health a priority, saying that proper care of the body could lead to long life.

“This body can take us to 95 years and beyond if we do not burden it with unnecessary cares, worries, and problems,” Bishop Taiwo cautioned.

He also encouraged Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, the first son of the deceased, to remain strong and ready to assume leadership responsibilities following the vacuum created by his mother’s passing.

In his remarks, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, sympathized with Mayor Igbokwe over the sudden loss of his mother at a time when she should have been enjoying the fruits of her labour.

The Governor noted that despite her relatively short stay on earth, Dame Peace lived a fulfilled life and raised children who have become outstanding men and women.“It is not the years in our life but the life in our years.

If you read her biography carefully, you will understand that she lived ahead of her time and left behind enduring legacies,” the Governor stated.

Governor Otti commended the Methodist Church for the orderly conduct of the funeral service and appreciated the people of Ohuhu for their massive turnout to bid the deceased farewell.

He concluded by praying that such a tragedy would not befall the Igbokwe family again.

In his tribute, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe described his late mother as a strong-willed and resilient woman who, despite losing her husband early in life, worked tirelessly to raise her children and instill strong moral values in them. He prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul.

The funeral ceremony attracted a distinguished gathering, including top government officials like the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, the Member Representing Ikwuano Umuahia Federal Constituency Hon. Obi Aguocha, Former Minister Dr Uche Ogah, Senator Darlington Nwokocha among others.