………….Says “Abia Is Transitioning From Conventional To Digital Commerce

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, says his administration is repositioning the State from conventional trading to digital commerce.

He said that the future of global business depended in technology and digital delivery.

Governor Otti stated this on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, during the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide with the theme “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo”.

Gov. Otti said that Abia and Ndigbo, historically known for trading, are now deliberately shifting focus towards manufacturing and technology-driven commerce.

The Governor, responding to concerns over the increasing presence of Chinese traders competing with Igbo entrepreneurs in retail businesses in Lagos, said:”We are leaving that place of trading. In Abia, we have markets; the markets are important. But we are moving from the market to manufacturing. So, this Government is supporting manufacturing. We are driving digital delivery. We are leaving that physical store for digital delivery. So, when somebody talked about Alibaba, that’s exactly where we are headed.”

According to the Governor, the development of digital commerce will enable Abia entrepreneurs to compete globally rather than remain dependent on conventional physical markets.”So, why are the Chinese coming to compete with us? We are moving away from there and it’s going to start in Abia. So, Abia is both manufacturing and then trading. But we are moving from conventional trading to digital trading.

That’s where the world is going. You either embrace it or you risk being left behind,” Gov. Otti said.

The State Chief Executive further said his administration is investing heavily in digital skills for young people, noting that some residents trained under its TechRise initiative are already working for global tech giants from Aba.

“When I spend money here training my young people in digital technology under the TechRise initiative, I know what I am doing. Some of them are already working for Google and Amazon from Aba,” Gov. Otti said.”

So, you resist technology at your own risk. We are not afraid because we are moving that part of business to technology,” the Governor added.Governor Otti, who assured the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of his administration’s support, described the theme of the celebration, “Njikọ Ka” – translated as “Unity is Supreme” – as apt, saying it reflects the importance of unity in diversity.

The governor said that his administration had laid a solid foundation for the development of the State, assuring that Abia will continue to witness significant transformation.

“We have retrieved and recovered our State. And the only way to go is up

.In his keynote address presented virtually, the Chairman of the Igbo Charter Committee for Strategic Engagement for National Development, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, said the Igbo Charter must be separated from party politics and should serve as a non-partisan roadmap for development, driven by merit, accountability and measurable targets.Prof. Moghalu identified key priorities including promoting the Igbo language, creating a digital marketplace, strengthening diaspora engagement, improving security and investment, and shifting from dependence on remittances to productive investments.

He called for true federalism, equitable citizenship and devolution of power, urging Ndigbo to move from discussions to practical implementation.

He described Governor Otti as “one of our best.”

In his welcome address, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, said the Igbo Lecture and Dinner was convened to harness the collective strength of Ndigbo through a unified development strategy.He noted that despite their individual brilliance, enterprise and resilience, Ndigbo are yet to fully achieve their collective potential.

He said the Igbo Charter for Strategic Engagement for National Development, written by over 67 Igbo technocrats and business leaders, provides a documented framework for engaging the Nigerian State and the wider world.He said the Charter proposes pathways to protect Igbo culture, particularly the Igbo language, and suggested that Igbo language be made compulsory in primary and secondary schools across Igboland.

He also called on the Federal Government to find a political solution to the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, called on Ndigbo to work together to develop Ala Igbo.

“We must look forward to building a brighter future, moving beyond complaining about those who won’t give us our due, to taking our destiny in our own hands,” he said.

Chief Ugochukwu commended Governor Otti for the good governance being delivered in Abia and lauded the President-General and leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for their determination and consistency in sustaining the observance of Igbo Day.

The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Chief Enyinnaya Onukalu.

……….Charges Security Agents to ensure Level Playing ground.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

In Abia State, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, has charged security agencies in the State to ensure that all political parties are given the opportunity to lawfully carry out their political activities and campaigns.

Governor Otti gave the charge during the monthly State Security Council Meeting at his country home in Nvosi.

Having once been a victim of an assassination attempt that claimed the lives of two police officers attached to him during his political journey to serve the state, the governor.may be saving lives and discouraging violence.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Afolabi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (Rtd), the duo assured of readiness to ensure hitch-free political campaigns and elections in 2027.

According to CP Afolabi: “We just came out from the meeting chaired by the Executive Governor of Abia State. A lot of matters were discussed, some centered on the forthcoming elections, and I believe His Excellency has made our work easier. He told us explicitly and in clear terms that all he wants is for us to create a level playing field for all. He also directed that any political party that applies for approval to hold campaigns should be granted express approval. “By that, he has made our work less cumbersome,” he said.

On the preparedness of security agencies to ensure a violence-free electioneering period, the Police Commissioner disclosed that following a three-day Regional Police Retreat recently held in Imo State and chaired by the Inspector-General of Police with governors in attendance, security agencies are fully prepared to ensure rancour-free campaigns and elections in 2027.

For his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (Rtd), said: “Basically, His Excellency is a just man. He has made the job simple, as the Commissioner of Police has just said – politics without bitterness.

“He has given his go-ahead that all political parties that want to campaign should not be impeded, as long as they pay the approved fees for the use of stadiums or any public facilities. “They are free, without hindrance, to carry out their campaigns. With this level playing field across party lines, we do not expect mischief-makers to have any excuse,” he said.

Ubah warned that mischief-makers would have the law to contend with, stressing that every act capable of breaching public peace would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“The law has a long arm. The long arm of the law will catch up with anyone who wants to perpetrate trouble or cause mayhem. The State will not sit back and allow anyone to intentionally break the law,” he said.

Hopefully, the security operatives will work in accordance with the governor’s directive to avoid escalating issues during tensed moments.

By Editor, Umuahia

Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti has issued a certificate of occupancy to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu for the commencement of building of office structure in the state.

The chairman during a visit to the governor in his country home in Nvosi recently commended Governor Alex Otti for the prudent management of Abia State resources.

Dr. Shehu who gave the commendation while in the company of his commissioners and other members of his delegation, noted that Abia residents are blessed to have Governor Otti, adding that his achievements were evidence of prudent management of resources in the State.

The RMAFC Chairman particularly commended the administration for its massive investment in road infrastructure, noting that the construction and rehabilitation of over 400 roads, including bridges, have significantly impacted the state.

He also applauded the achievements of Governor Otti’s administration in education, especially the recruitment of thousands of teachers, the completed and ongoing renovation and upgrading of schools across the State.Dr. Shehu said, “I am so glad that today, I am able to make it, to see you here, and to see all the developmental strides that you have taken and are still undertaking since you assumed office as the Executive Governor of this State.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to say that this State is blessed to have you as Governor. Every independent analyst will testify that this is one of the best governed States in Nigeria. And you are certainly the best among all those who have governed the State.”

He further acknowledged the administration’s strides in primary healthcare, fiscal transparency and security, noting that the state’s improved fiscal performance and peaceful environment were indications of responsible governance.

He commended the state’s rise from 17th to 4th position in fiscal transparency and the reduction of its debt profile as significant achievements, stressing that they reflect effective utilization of statutory allocations and other resources accruing to the State.

Dr. Shehu disclosed that the Commission was undergoing reforms aimed at strengthening revenue monitoring, enhancing digitalization and improving real-time access to revenue information from revenue-generating agencies.

The Chairman also disclosed that the Commission was working on a new revenue allocation formula, noting that the existing formula had been in operation for decades and needed to reflect the changing responsibilities of the three tiers of government.

According to him, the review had become necessary as states shoulder greater responsibilities, including transportation infrastructure and other sectors previously dominated by the Federal Government.

On the Natural Resources Development Fund, he said steps were being taken to ensure that funds meant for development are recovered and appropriately utilized.

He thanked Governor Otti for providing land for the construction of RMAFC’s office in the State, assuring that the building, when completed, would conform to the Commission’s standard across the country.

Responding, Governor Otti appreciated the RMAFC Chairman for his kind remarks and said his government had been managing available resources to fix the state.

The State Chief Executive disclosed that his administration had consistently committed over 80 percent of its annual budgets in the last three years to capital expenditure, to give infrastructure, education and health a facelift.

“We are very happy that you are doing what you are doing and we know that with the changes you are proposing, and with the President supporting us, states can be more empowered.

“If States are more empowered, they will do a lot more for the people,” he said.

Gov. Otti added that most roads his administration had built were Federal roads, but he did not discriminate as long as authorization was granted to rebuild them for the benefit of Abia people.

“All the good work we are doing is because we efficiently allocate our limited resources to areas of most important need. We are a very small state when you look at allocation.

” We are almost number 20, even though we have oil in one local government, but it is not that much,” Gov. Otti said.

Governor Otti reassured RMAFC of his administration’s continued support and expressed hope that the proposed new revenue formula would be implemented soon to enable states to do more.

Abia was said to be the first state in the South East to provide land to RMAFC for its permanent office.