Traditional rulers, Presidents General, Women and Youth Leaders from Arochukwu and Ohafia Local Government Areas have pledged to support the reelection bid of Governor Alex Otti.

They made the pledge when the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers visited them in the course of their statewide sensitisation tour of Local government areas in the State.

Speaking at Arochukwu headquarters and Ebem Ohafia, Eze Dr. Linus Nto Mbah recounted the various performances of Governor Alex Otti since assuming office, declaring that the governor has done marvellously well to earn himself another term.

Eze Nto Mbah specifically mentioned Omenuko bridge, Ndị Okereke Arochukwu road, renovation of schools and Primary Health centres, beautification of Umuahia the capital city, among others as some of the achievements of Gov Otti, stressing that the governor’s performance in office cut across all sectors.

“Since Governor Alex Otti assumed office, we have been witnessing a lot of positive impacts in Abia State. Civil servants and pensioners are receiving their entitlements regularly.

“His Infrastructure development is across the board. He has constructed even roads which the past governors used to play politics with, what about Omenuko bridge, the maniwater phenomenon bridge has been dismantled.”

The monarch maintained that the governor Otti’s achievements and excellent performance deserved to be reciprocated by Abians with total support for reelection for a second term as according to him ‘one’s good turn deserves another.’

He called on the people to obtain their PVCs to be able to vote for him when the time comes.

“To ensure that governor Alex Otti continues in office, we need to register and obtain our PVCs. Many people are already making noise and we are wondering what they would do for us that Governor Alex Otti has not done. What would they tell us?” He queried.

“Everyone should go and register for their PVCs. If you don’t have any, please go and get it. If you are eighteen years and above, or your own is damaged, please go and get a new one. We must arm ourselves with the voters card and support governor Alex Otti to continue his good works in Abia State.”

Responding on behalf of Arochukwu stakeholders, Eze Amos Okoro, Ezeogo Emmanuel Ebebe, Ejike Okoronkwo for the PGs and Jacob Onwuka for the youths said that Arochukwu people are united in their support for Gov Alex Otti emphasised that no qualified person would be excluded in voting.

They thanked Eze Linus Nto Mbah and his council of traditional rulers for the visit and pledged to mobilise their people to register with INEC and obtain their PVCs so as to participate in the forthcoming elections.

In Ohafia, Eze U K. Ukaoha, Woman leader, Christina Kalu, Youth Leader Orji Ukwa, PG Dimgba Kalu, as well as Ezeogo Orji Okoro Uma while noted that having compared compared Otti with other governors in Abia State, they have discovered that none of came close in terms of service delivery.

They pointed out that they are already mobilising and would continue to do so emphasising that their votes would only be for governor Alex Otti based on his unprecedented record of achievements and thanked the traditional rulers for the visit.

Earlier, the Mayors of Arochukwu,Dr Okereke Eze Aru represented by the Arochukwu LGA Head of Service, Agu Ikenna and Ohafia, Chief Ojuu Kalu noted that people of their LGAs are happy and appreciative of governor Otti’s administration and that their votes would only go to the governor.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has disclosed that it has trained over 1,000 teachers on health and education, engaged more than 700 community and religious leaders on health, education and HIV awareness, and worked with over 300 schools in Abia State since the launch of the Abia First Education Initiative.
The revelation was made when the Head of Office and Country Representative of UNESCO to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jean-Paul Ngome-Abiaga, led a delegation to the office of the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, where he also commended the Governor for his administration’s strong commitment to education reforms.

Dr. Ngome-Abiaga praised the Governor’s leadership since assuming office in 2023, noting that the results of his policies are already visible, particularly in the education sector.
“Your Excellency, let me first commend you for the work you have started since 2023. We have seen the results,” he said.
He acknowledged that although UNESCO’s mandate covers education, science, culture, communication and information, the organisation was particularly impressed by the priority given to education by the Abia State Government.

According to him, the decision of the Governor to allocate 20 percent of the state budget to education demonstrates a strong commitment to human capital development.
“We know the importance and place of education in your agenda. We know that you have dedicated 20 percent of the budget of the State to education and we would like to really congratulate you for that,” he added.
Dr. Ngome-Abiaga further expressed UNESCO’s willingness to deepen partnership with the Abia State Government in key sectors including education and health, assuring that the organisation would continue to provide technical expertise to support the Governor’s development agenda.

Also speaking during the visit, the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, introduced the Africa Social Impact Summit to the Governor and invited him to attend the upcoming conference scheduled for July as a guest of honour.
She explained that the summit, which partners with the United Nations, was established after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022 to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through partnerships, impact investment and policy advocacy.
According to her, the platform has already unlocked over 100 million dollars in development investments by fostering collaboration across the public sector, private sector and development organisations.

Responding, Governor Alex Otti appreciated the delegation for the visit and described UNESCO and its partners as valuable collaborators in the state’s development efforts.
He noted that their request for deeper collaboration in education, health funding and the reduction of out-of-school children aligns with the priorities of his administration.
“What you came with is a request that no one can say no to — partnership, support to reduce the number of out-of-school children, asking that more money be allocated to health and education. Those are good and they are imperative for a government that is serious,” the Governor said.

Governor Otti also announced that the Computer Based Test (CBT) for the second batch of teachers’ recruitment would be conducted next week for about 24,000 successful applicants shortlisted for the examination.
He highlighted key achievements of his administration in the education sector, including the implementation of free and compulsory education, massive renovation of schools, recruitment of 5,394 teachers, training of educators and improved remuneration for teachers.

The Governor further disclosed that his administration has consistently allocated 20 percent of the state budget to education and 15 percent to health, amounting to a combined 35 percent investment in critical human development sectors.
Present during the visit were the Commissioner for Basic Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi; Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Mathew Ekwuruibe; Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba; Commissioner for Science and Technology, Engr. David Kalu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu; and the Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Lady Lydia Onuoha, among other senior government officials.

A week of jubilant celebrations in Bende Federal Constituency reached a powerful crescendo as youths from all 13 wards gathered in Uzuakoli for a heartfelt thanksgiving and praise service honouring Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso, the former YPP Deputy Governorship Candidate, whose 45th birthday became a festival of faith, philanthropy, and communal unity.

The weeklong celebration of Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso’s 45th birthday,former Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the 2023 election concluded with a memorable thanksgiving praise and worship session.

The event, organized by youths from the 13 wards of Bende Federal Constituency, took place at the Practicing School, Uzuakoli, in Bende Local Government Area.

The celebration was held in honour of their leader and benefactor, Dr. Anyaso, whose profound love for God was described by attendees as “unquantifiable.” Youths from all wards gathered to pay tribute to God for Anyaso’s life and to express gratitude for the success of the entire birthday celebration, which included the traditional Iriji Ofuji festival.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Anyaso expressed deep appreciation to God for the gift of life.

“This day is dedicated entirely to God for His mercies and manifold blessings,” he said. “It is not a speech-making day. I urge everyone to return all the glory to God, for no man can claim to be the doer if not for Him.”

Reflecting on his 45 years, Anyaso described his journey as “an act of God” and acknowledged that God remains his unwavering anchor through every challenge.

In the days leading up to the thanksgiving session, Dr. Anyaso visited several key institutions and groups within Bende LGA, including the School of Nursing Aba, the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Umuahia, workers of Bende LGA, the Nde Eze and Nde Ugoeze leadership councils, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Bende chapter, political stakeholders, and the women and widows of Bende LGA, providing cash donations and gifts.

The event’s highlight was a stirring rendition of Dr. Anyaso’s favourite hymn, “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand.” This was followed by thanksgiving and intercessory prayers led by Pastor Okechukwu Dike, a sermon by Pastor Prince Imo, and the presentation of a cash award to the coordinator of the OFUJI MOVEMENT in Item Ward A, recognized for organizing the best Iriji Ofuji 2025 celebration among the 13 wards of Bende Federal Constituency.