Otti says Geometric Power fuels Abia’s economic transformation

…Celebrates Bart Nnaji, founder at 70

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has credited the ongoing economic transformation in Abia State to the successful delivery of the Geometric Power Project.

He describied it as a landmark investment that has laid the foundation for industrial growth, energy stability, and the State’s transition to cleaner transportation.

Governor Otti made the remarks on Friday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, during the 70th birthday celebration of Barth Nnaji, former Minister of Power and the Chairman/Founder of Geometric Power Limited.

He paid glowing tribute to the celebrator’s exceptional intellect, resilience, and unwavering commitment to seeing the Aba Integrated Power project become a reality despite decades of challenges.

The governor described Nnaji as being“ahead of his time,” noting that he studied Artificial Intelligence and Robotics long before the technology became globally mainstream.

“As at that time, Artificial Intelligence was just coming up, but you saw tomorrow,” Governor Otti remarked.

According to him, Nnaji completed a four-year programme at St. John’s University, New York, in two years and nine months, before earning his Master’s degree in 1982 and a PhD a year later.

The AbIa State Chief Executive also used the occasion to acknowledge the critical roles played by key national figures in the success of the Aba Integrated Power Project.

He particularly credited Muhammad Sanusi, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria ((CBbN) and Emir of Kano, for a decisive intervention during his tenure at the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

“We called him and said, We know the door has closed, but the white man that made pencil also made eraser. So, you need to open that door, take in Geometric so that we can continue lending to it.… He opened the door, took the Geometric loan from Diamond Bank, closed it again, and we were able to lend again,” the governor recalled.

Governor Otti also commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for approving the Aba Ring-fenced Power Project in 2004, describing the decision, as the foundation upon which the project was built.

He further applauded Vice President Kashim Shettima, for facilitating the gas supply that led to the commissioning of the Geometric Power Plant in February 2024.

The governor said that the impact of the power project was already evident in Abia’s development trajectory.

“Some of the things that are happening in Abia today are because we now have power. It was after the existence of Geometric that gave us the courage to launch our first set of electric buses, and interestingly, the second set will be arriving in another week”, he stated.

He urged Nigerians to emulate Nnaji’s perseverance and innovative spirit.

“We need to learn from your resilience, your can-do spirit, your ingenuity and your never-say-die attitude, because there are not too many people, who can stay on a project for 20 years and earn no dime”, he added.

Muhammad Sanusi, Emir of Kano, while delivering the keynote address on “Energy Security, Innovative Service,” the 16t Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, described energy security, as the bedrock of economic growth and urged governments to prioritize stable electricity supply.

Citing Abia as a practical example, he said, “If you want to see the impact of electricity on an economy, just look at Geometric and the transformation in Abia. This is living evidence of what people think is theory.”

He described Barth Nnaji, as a visionary whose resilience and commitment eventually turned the Geometric Power Project into reality.

Nnaji, the celebrator, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to all those, who contributed to the realisation of the Geometric Power Project and thanked family members, friends, associates and guests for celebrating with him.

He gave special recognition to Governor Alex Otti and His Royal Highness Muhammed Sanusi Fort their unwavering support over the years, recalling their roles in securing financing for the project during their tenures in the bank and facilitating the conversion of the project’s loan from dollar to naira.