Abia State Governor Alex Otti has stated that his administration honours meritorious individuals over those of mediocre orientation.
He emphasised that residents currently have access to free education, adding that his government is committed to shaping future leaders from the youth of the state.
Governor Otti made these remarks during the 75th birthday celebration of 2023 presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Umuahia.
Describing Ohuabunwa as one of the nation’s finest, the governor said he was truly worth celebrating.
According to him: “We are celebrating Mazi Samuel Iheanyichukwu Ohuabunwa, OFR. Today, Mazi is 75; we will be here when he is 85. We are celebrating one of the best that this country has produced, and that’s Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.”
He noted that Ohuabunwa’s ideals and principles have influenced both individuals and institutions.
He added: “He will disagree with you; but you can never doubt his patriotism. You can never doubt his integrity. He joined Pfizer in 1978, and that was 10 years before I graduated. Fifteen years later, he was the managing director and chief executive officer of the multinational corporation, and since then he has continued to rise and make an impact in the country and beyond.
“When during COVID-19 I visited him, he told me about his dream to run for the presidency. We struggled with this idea—and like myself, people had always felt jilted when I told them I wanted to become governor of Abia State. I was just worried about Mazi. Why? I was worried about where he was coming from, whether he would handle what was involved and all that.
“So, I want to thank everyone who has come here to celebrate one of our own. I can assure you that Mazi is worth celebrating.
“And for us in Abia State, we celebrate meritorious people. We don’t even want to know where you come from—once you live here, you are one of us. A former governor of Imo State sent me a cheering letter a few days ago thanking me for appointing an Edo indigene as head of service in Abia State. In reply, I said I didn’t even know he was an Edo man, but I’m aware he has been here since 1999 till date. And as far as I’m concerned, he’s one of us.
“So here, we celebrate meritocracy. Therefore, I want to thank the chairman of this occasion for the beautiful words he spoke commending us. We have just completed two years, and I am sure that the next time you are here, the story will be different. In Abia State, we are training future leaders—irrespective of where they come from. We want to make sure that everybody has access to free education.”
Earlier, celebrant Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa attributed his success to God’s guidance, grace, and inspiration, urging friends and well-wishers to embrace him daily.
He said his new book, Driven by Revelation & Inspiration – My Journey through the 2023 Nigeria Presidential Aspiration and Matters Arising, launched alongside his birthday celebration, reflected on his political journey driven by a divine call despite initial self-doubt.
“I decided to decline that I wanted to run for the office of the President of Nigeria. I was doubting myself; but a force kept driving me,” he stated.
Ohuabunwa explained that the book also highlights deep-seated rot in Nigeria’s political system, which he said prevents suitable individuals from assuming leadership roles.
While acknowledging that the political game for 2027 has already begun, he suggested that real transformation in leadership would only be possible in 2031.
“I’m afraid. I don’t know whether we can change the system by 2027. This is because the 2027 game has started already. We should be looking at 2031 to change the narrative,” he said.
The immediate past President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria stressed the need for a new breed of political leaders free from godfatherism, praising the leadership of Governor Alex Otti and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, among others.
“Alex Otti has no need to steal government money; he was very wealthy before he became governor. So what is he stealing government money for?
“A lot of things that kill politicians and make them unable to perform are their godfathers, or when they vow to shrine —and to their gods and goddesses, who will consume the money. They have to keep sacrificing for them, whether they are men, spirits, or idols,” he added.
The event, chaired by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Chief Ike Nwachukwu, was attended by dignitaries including Governor Alex Otti; Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, represented by his Deputy Barr Ifeanyi Ossai; former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Dr Peter Obi; former Minister of Mines and Steel Dr Uche Ogah; former Rivers State Governor Chief Celestine Omega; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Senator Azuka Mbata; and HRH Eze Eberechukwu Oji of the Eze Aro Kingdom, among others.
Abia residents have more access to free education – Gov Otti
