From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti and the former Minister of Education, Dr. (Mrs) Oby Ezekwesili have stressed the need for good governance at all levels in the country.
Governor Otti stated this during activities marking the Grand finale of the 32nd anniversary of the creation of Abia State and the unveiling of the new Abia State Orientation Agency, in Umuahia.
The Governor recalled it was through good governance that Dr. Michael Okpara was able to lead the old Eastern Nigeria to the heights of structured economic development.
Otti disclosed that it was through the same good governance that “then Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe who in only four years as governor of old Imo State undertook the rebuilding of our major towns and cities from the ruins of the civil war with passion, unequalled commitment and honesty of purpose.”
He said he was bringing into governance attitudinal efficiency and proficiency that would make Abians not only see, but touch and feel the projects his administration would be putting on ground.
“Today, we have a leader and the difference between what we have now and what we had for the much of the last 24 years is like day time and night time.
“The truth is that Abians can see that indeed, help has come. No sycophants and liars telling them not to believe their eyes but to look at billboards to assess the performance of their leaders or listen to the words of a compromised politician or a local Chief who lives off political patronage from Umuahia. Now, you can see with your eyes and believe it.”
Governor Otti said the essence of unveiling the new Abia State Orientation Agency was to change for better and charged people of the state to give maximum support to the rebranded agency to ensure sensitization towards the right behavioural pattern.
He charged the agency to work more on changing the mentality of Abia people against bribery, corruption, truancy in private and public sectors, lateness, and other negative attitudes by public servants amongst others.
In an anniversary lecture earlier, Dr. Ezekwesili, called on Governor Otti to transform the state into a major economic hub through manufacturing and job creation for the youths of the state.
Dr. Ezekwesili urged the Governor to use data and technology to transform the state more than any other means, adding that there were many things technology could offer which the state had lost in the past.
Director General of the New Abia State Orientation Agency, Dike Nwankwo described the agency as a new dawn in Abia State, pointing out the need for positive re-orientation in the mentality of the people.
He expressed the desire to create a good image of the state and pledged the agency would deploy officers in the 17 LGAs and 184 political wards of the State for that purpose.