Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said his administration identifies more with and honours meritorious people as against those with mediocre orientation.
This is as he said Abia residents presently have access to free education, saying his administration was poised to make future leaders out of young people in the state.
Governor Otti stated this during the 75th Birthday Celebration of a 2023 presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, at the International Conference Center (ICC) Umuahia.
The governor, who described Ohuabunwa as one of the best the country has produced, said he was worth celebrating.
According to him, “We are celebrating Mazi Samuel Iheanyichukwu Ohuabunwa , OFR. Today, Mazi is 75; we will be here when he will be 85. We are celebrating one of the best that this country has produced, and that’s Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.”
The governor observed Ohuabunwa’s ideals and principles have continued to shape both men and institutions around him, adding, “He will disagree with you; but you can never doubt his patriotism.
He said, “You can never doubt his integrity. He joined Pfizer in 1978, and that was 10 years before I graduated. And 15 years later, he was the managing director and chief executive officer of the multi-national corporation and since then he has continued to rise and to make impact in the country and beyond.
Related news
Abia state govt celebrates Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa at 75
Rep Ogah Decries Prolonged Inmate Detention in Abia
“When during the COVID-19, I visited him, and he told me about his dream to run for presidency we struggled with this idea–and like myself, people had always felt jilted when I told them I wanted to become the governor of Abia State. I was just worried about Mazi. Why? I was worried about where he was coming from, whether he would do ‘what’ was involved and all that.
“So, I want to thank everyone that has come here to celebrate with one of our own. I can assure you that Mazi is what 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. And in reply, I said I didn’t even know he is 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 for us here , we celebrate meritocracy. Therefore, I want to thank the chairman of this occasion for the beautiful words he spoke wherein he commended us. We have just done two years and I am sure that the next time you would be here , the story will be different. In Abia State, we are training future leaders — irrespective of where you are from. We want to make sure that everybody has access to free education.”
Speaking earlier, the celebrant, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa ascribed his success story in life to God’s guidance, grace and inspiration, urging friends and well-wishers to embrace him daily.
According to him, his new book, titled “Driven by Revelation & Inspiration – My Journey through the 2023 Nigeria’s Presidential Aspiration and Matters arising,” which was equally launched on the sideline of his birthday celebration reflected on his political journey driven by a divine call to action despite his initial self-doubt.
He said, “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 reiterated that the book exposed deep-seated rot within the nation’s political system, which according to him, victimizes the country by preventing suitable individuals from taking on leadership roles.
While acknowledging that the political game for 2027 has already begun, Ohuabunwa decried that the real transformation in Nigeria’s leadership style will only begin in 2031.
He said, “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.”
The immediate past President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, stressed the need for a new breed of political leaders, free from the constraints of ‘godfatherism’ and lauded the leadership styles 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 is their godfathers, or when they vow to shrines– and to their gods and goddesses, who will suck the money. They have to keep sacrificing for them, whether they are men, spirit, or idols,” he added.
Some of the dignitaries who attended the event, which was chaired by a former minister of foreign affairs, Chief Ike Nwachukwu, were Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti; Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who was represented by his Deputy Barr Ifeanyi Ossai; a former governor of Anambra State and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr Peter Obi; a former minister of mines and steel , Dr Uche Ogah; a former governor of Rivers State; Chief Celestine Omega; the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuka Mbata; the Eze Aro Kingdom, HRH Eze Eberechukwu Oji; among others.