Otti reaffirms commitment to Abia seaport

Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to the realisation of the Abia seaport project.

Governor Otti made the declaration on Friday as the State Government celebrated Ikechukwu Chidozie Madubuike, a former Minister of Education and Health, on his 83rd birthday in Umuahia.

The governor congratulated Madubuike on his milestone birthday and the unveiling of three books written by the elder statesman, describing him as an exceptional scholar, accomplished administrator, family man, and one of Abia’s finest intellectuals.

“For us in Abia, we believe that we must celebrate our heroes while they are alive because any society that does not honour its heroes will lose its identity.

“Professor Madubuike has earned this celebration through a lifetime of scholarship, integrity and service”, Otti stated.

He emphasised that his administration places greater value on merit and service than political considerations, noting that every Abian who has made meaningful contributions to society deserved recognition.

The governor recalled how his Government had honoured eminent personalities from different political backgrounds, stressing that what bound them together is their shared identity as Abians.

“We don’t care about political parties, where you worship or where you originally came from. What matters is your contribution to our state. Once you are our son or daughter and have served humanity with distinction, we will celebrate you because Abia comes first”, Governor Otti declared.

While responding to suggestions made by the celebrant and other speakers, the governor highlighted the remarkable transformation taking place in the education sector, particularly at Abia State University, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, and Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu, as well as in the healthcare sector.

He revealed that his administration had rescued the university from years of neglect through extensive rehabilitation of hostels and learning facilities.

At the polytechnic, he said lost accreditations had been restored while cutting-edge programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and 3D Printing have been introduced.

Governor Otti reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the Abia Seaport project, revealing that feasibility studies are currently being undertaken by a Chinese firm to facilitate funding.

“We are serious about building the Abia Seaport, and it will happen in our generation. We are equally committed to delivering world-class healthcare and education because that is the future we owe our people”, Otti assured.

Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the occasion, described Madubuike as a patriotic Igbo man, amiable and academic giant, who played significant roles in the establishment of Federal Medical Centres in Igboland.

Ngige, who thanked Governor Otti for honouring Madubuike, commended the quality of roads delivered by the governor, and advised that he should use campaign periods to inspect projects.

He noted that Abia was in “Siberia” before the emergence of Governor Otti and appealed to Abians to sustain their support for him to enable him complete his constitutional eight years in office.

Nnkeiruka Onyejeocha, a former Minister of Labour and Employment, saluted Governor Otti for celebrating Madubuike and for what he is doing for the State.

She described the celebrant as a rare gem, who contributed to the development of the country and congratulated him on his birthday.

Mao Ohuabunwa, while proposing a toast for the celebrant, thanked Otti for the innovation of celebrating people who have contributed to the development of society.

He noted that Madubuike served as Commissioner for Finance under late Governor Sam Mbakwe and later as Minister of Education under the military, where he made impacts including initiating the establishment of state-owned, privately-owned, and open universities.