As he marked his second year in office, Governor Alex Chioma Otti of Abia State has pledged to dedicate the remaining half of his first term to firmly institutionalizing the sweeping reforms initiated under his administration.
Speaking during a special Anniversary Lecture held at the JAAC Building in Umuahia, Governor Otti emphasized his commitment to sustainable transformation across the state.
The event, which featured renowned economist and former Finance Minister Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu as keynote speaker, was part of celebrations marking two years of his leadership.
“We shall commit the remaining two years of this term to institutionalizing the reforms that have been initiated,” Governor Otti declared. “Collectively, we shall make Abia the hub of transformational ideas. We shall not be tired of listening to undebated new ideas, for that is the path to continuous growth and progress.”
Responding to a point raised in the lecture regarding borrowing, Governor Otti clarified his administration’s fiscal philosophy. While open to borrowing when necessary, he stressed that financial discipline remains the cornerstone of his governance.
“I only borrow when I need to borrow,” he said. “The first thing we did was to instill financial discipline and responsibility. Because of prudent management, we’ve significantly reduced our debt burden and settled all contractor payments. Salary and pension arrears have also been cleared.”
Governor Otti noted that organizing the lecture served as a platform for honest reflection and self-assessment.
“We decided to put this lecture together to evaluate how far we’ve come, what we’ve done right, and what we can do better,” he said. “No human endeavor is perfect. Even our best can be improved, and that’s why we must remain open to constructive engagement.”
He praised Dr. Kalu’s insights, describing them as both intellectually enriching and strategically useful in navigating the complexities of modern governance.
Dr. Kalu, in his lecture titled “Two Years of Transformation: Sustaining the Momentum,” lauded the Otti administration’s focus on health, education, and social infrastructure. He attributed the Governor’s growing popularity beyond Abia to his consistent emphasis on inclus
ive development.
“Governor Otti’s tenure has been truly transformative,” Dr. Kalu said. “What we’ve witnessed in these two years is solid, purposeful leadership. The camaraderie between the Governor, his deputy, and their team is reminiscent of the golden era of the old Imo State.”
Dr. Kalu further encouraged Governor Otti to embrace strategic borrowing where necessary to accelerate development.
“There is nothing inherently wrong with borrowing,” he noted. “If it supports value creation, enhances job growth, and builds capacity, it becomes a tool for sustainable development.”
The well-attended lecture drew a distinguished audience of Abia’s elite, industry leaders, and top government officials, highlighting growing support for the administration’s vision of progressive governance anchored on transparency, equity, and long-term growth.
