TheNewsGuru

Tag: Alex Otti

  • Buhari’s minister, Ogbonnaya Onu buried, state polytechnic renamed in his honour

    Buhari’s minister, Ogbonnaya Onu buried, state polytechnic renamed in his honour

    The remains of the first Civilian Governor of Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, have been laid to rest on Friday in his hometown of Uburu, Ebonyi State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, via his Facebook page on Friday, in a statement said Onu’s legacy extends beyond his political achievements.

    Otti revealed that the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, has been renamed Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, to honour the late governor’s legacy and contributions.

    He wrote, “Today, we joined fellow Nigerians to bid farewell to Dr Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu, CON, former Governor of Abia State, at his hometown in Uburu, Ebonyi State. His passing in April left a significant void in our nation. My heartfelt condolences go out to Dr Onu’s family and the people of Ebonyi State.

    “Dr Onu’s legacy extends beyond his political achievements. As the first democratically elected Governor of Abia State, a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his humility and grace were truly inspiring.

    “In 1999, Dr Onu selflessly gave up his presidential ticket for the unity of Nigeria, demonstrating his deep love for the country. He lived by his convictions, always speaking the truth, regardless of the consequences.

    “Despite his brief tenure as Governor of Abia, his contributions as a development-focused leader were significant. He established the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba; the Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu; and the National Ambassador newspaper. The Federal University of Agriculture, now Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU), was also established during his tenure. These institutions, spread across the three senatorial districts of the state, highlight Dr Onu’s strategic vision for education and economic growth.

    “In honour of his contributions, we have renamed the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, to Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

    “Dr Onu’s story is a testament to the power of dreams and determination. We will continue to honour his memory by advancing his legacy and values with the same passion and integrity he exemplified. May his soul rest in peace.”

  • Gov Otti sets agenda for newly sworn in Abia LG Chairmen

    Gov Otti sets agenda for newly sworn in Abia LG Chairmen

    Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has sworn in 17 newly elected Local Government (LG) Chairmen, with a charge to sustain the State Government’s rebuilding agenda at the grassroot level.

    Otti, who gave the charge while speaking on Monday during the ceremony at Government House, Umuahia, urged the chairmen to evolve programmes that would yield measurable improvements in the living conditions of the people in the next six months.

    “We have since laid the marker at the State, my expectation is that you will run with the vision and continue the work of the socioeconomic transformation of Abia from your various LGAs.

    “As I had also said, your task is to solve the basic problems that have bedevilled our people in the various communities for ages.

    “Access to water, basic health and education services, effective maintenance of Trunk C roads and quick response to security threats in your local communities should rank very high in your order of priorities,” he said.

    Otti also expressed the readiness of the government to partner with the chairmen to drive their  coordinated development agenda for the betterment of the citizens.

    “It is imperative that we develop a framework of effective collaboration to be able to achieve improved outcomes especially in the areas of agriculture, security, road infrastructure, education and health,” he said.

    The governor charged the chairmen to strive to fulfill their campaign promises, because  “there can be no excuse for subpar performance”.

    He commended the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) for conducting a free and fair local government polls.

    Otti also commended the political parties and candidates that took part in the exercise for their show of sportsmanship, disposition to service and discipline to follow the rules.

    He said that successful conduct of the elections had given him a great sense of fulfilment because the elected officials would  drive socioeconomic development at the grassroot level.

    The governor advised the chairmen to adopt a culture of openness, firmness and responsiveness in the discharge of their duties.

    Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of Isiukwuato Local Government Area, Mr Chinedu Ekeke, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Abia.

    In an interview with newsmen, the Chairman of Isialangwa South LGA, Mr Nnadozie Nwaogwugwu, promised to align with the rebuilding agenda of the state government.

    Nwaogwugwu expressed his resolve to evolve programmes that would boost socioeconomic development in his LGA.

    The LG Chairmen include: Mr Iheanacho Wabara(Ugwunagbo), Chief Timothy Iheme(Aba North), Dr Anthony Nwaubani (Ikwuano), Mr Maxwell Nwadike(Obingwa),  Mr Smart Iheoma( Umuahia North) Mr Sunday Afuruobi (Umunneochi), and Mr Chidi Agu (Osisioma).

    Others are: Mr Innocent Uruakpa (Isialangwa North), Mr Eleanya Kalu(Ohafia), Mr Chibunna Akara(Ukwa East), Mr Dike Nwankwo(Ukwa West), Mr Uwabunkeonye Bassey(Bende), and Mr Okereke Ezearu(Arochukwu) Mr Chinedu Enweruzo(Umuahia South), and Mr Obilor Anyanwu(Aba South).

    The Governor also swore in the Deputy  Chairmen of the 17 LGAs in the state.

  • Why Nigerian youths should join politics – Gov Otti

    Why Nigerian youths should join politics – Gov Otti

    Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has urged Nigerian youths to join politics to decide their fate and make a difference. Otti gave the advice during Church Service at The Transforming Church (TTC), on Sunday in Abuja.

    He explained that every society needs the leadership it deserves, saying: “If you sit back and say politics is for politicians, the politicians will decide everything for you.

    “I am challenging all the young people here. Don’t shy away from politics. That is where decisions about your future are made.”

    Quoting Psalms 62:11, the governor said that power belongs to God and advised the youths against shying away from power.

    “You can make a lot of changes if you have power, and that is what politics will give you to create the changes you want to see in the lives of your people.

    “This is because, holding a political office affords people the opportunity to affect the lives of more people than one can imagine,” he said.

    Otti said that he left the banking sector in 2014 and joined politics to make a difference by doing things differently.

    He said that as the governor of Abia, he could affect the entire population of the state by just one action.

    He called on Christians not to pray alone but compliment it with hard work, adding that that way, their dreams and aspirations would come through.

    During the sermon, the lead pastor of the church, Rev. Sam Oye, who spoke on the goodness of God, called on Nigerians to keep their faith strong and not to give up on their dreams.

    Reading from Psalm 119:68, Oye stressed the need for people to learn how to be good to others.

    He thanked the Otti for visiting the church and reiterated the commitment of the church in praying for those in positions of leadership.

  • Edo Decides: What you should do after voting – Gov Otti to Labour Party supporters

    Edo Decides: What you should do after voting – Gov Otti to Labour Party supporters

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti on Thursday called on Labour Party (LP) supporters in Edo State to safeguard their votes after voting in the Edo September 21 governorship election.

    Otti, who joined Olumide Akpata, the LP candidate for the Edo governorship election, during campaign rallies in Benin, said that the party would not allow its votes to be compromised.

    The Governor said, “I already know that you will vote for LP. My coming here is to tell you to protect your votes.

    “In Abia State, we didn’t sleep for four days. If you sleep, they will steal your votes. After voting, young people should stay behind at polling units to ensure the protection of the votes. Follow the results from the units to the wards, the local government, and the state collation centers.”

    He also expressed confidence in Akpata and his running mate, Yusuf Kadiri, stating that they were the best team to lead Edo.

    Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Secretary to the LP Caretaker Committee, said that Edo could benefit from the party’s “template of greatness.”

    “Labour Party will apply the same successful strategies it is using in Abia if elected in Edo. LP won in Abia, and today, the state is enjoying good governance. Vote and protect your votes. Edo deserves change,” he said.

    On his part, Akpata reassured supporters that the LP was committed to peace, highlighting that he had signed the peace accord for the election.

    “We don’t fight, and we will make sure that our votes are  protected.”

    The campaign train visited Evbareke Spare Parts Market, Mission Road, and James Watt.

    Other personalities in the campaign team are Sen. Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, and Edosa Osaro, LP member of the Edo House of Assembly, among others.

  • Abia pensioners beg Otti to revisit MoA on retirement benefits

    Abia pensioners beg Otti to revisit MoA on retirement benefits

    A group of Abia pensioners has appealed to Gov. Alex Otti to revisit and rescind the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed with their leaders and pay them their remaining retirement benefits. The group, operating under the Abia Pensioners’ Forum, a pressure group within the state chapter of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), made the appeal on Wednesday in Umuahia.

    The Coordinator of the group, Mr Okey Kanu, made the appeal while briefing newsmen on the governor’s claim that his government had defrayed the arrears of pensions left behind by Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration. Kanu implored the governor to pay the balance of their pension arrears and gratuity.

    He said that before the MOA, many of their members were cumulatively owed up to 60 months, while the last payment of gratuity was in 2002. He commended Otti for the regular payment of their monthly pension since April and his developmental strides in the state.

    Recall Governor Otti had in April said the state had paid all the pension arrears owed to at least 12,500 pensioners, dating back to 2014. The Governor disclosed that over N9 billion was spent from the N10 billion set aside by the government to offset the  accumulated pension arrears.

    Meanwhile, Kanu said that the governor was free to liquidate the balance of the retirement benefits by instalments, if the government could not do so in one swoop. He said that the state government and NUP officials had signed an MOA, in which their arrears of pension and  gratuity were forfeited to the government.

    He said that the minutes of the enlarged NUP meeting of January 11, referred to by the government in the MOA, showed that the issue of gratuity was not mentioned. Kanu, a legal practitioner, insisted that what was deliberated on was the issue of pension arrears.

    He said: “In effect, signing the MOA containing the forfeiture of our gratuity in addition was ultra vires to NUP officers, hence not binding on our members. To date, the MOA has remained a secret document to our members.

    “We gathered that the state NUP officials had written two letters to the State Government, requesting a meeting to discuss gray areas of the MOA. One of such gray areas, according to the NUP officials, is that the issue of gratuity was never part of their negotiation and agreement with the government.”

    Kanu said that the arrears of pension and gratuity were  not negotiable “because they are personal, statutory and their legitimate entitlements in the service”. He contended that gratuity was savings from their salary, while they were in service and was supposed to be paid to them immediately on retirement.

    According to him, it is unfathomable how the State Government can negotiate with vulnerable pensioners, who are deprived and famished over the years.

  • Labour Party stakeholders officially write INEC over 29-man care-taker committee

    Labour Party stakeholders officially write INEC over 29-man care-taker committee

    Following the crisis rocking the party, the Labour Party, (LP) stakeholders have officially written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over the 29-man care-taker committee to lead the party in the interim.

    Some leaders of the party, including its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Abia Governor Alex Otti, some elected Senators and House of Representatives members of the party met in Umuahia, Abia State last week to appoint a 29-man care-taker committee to lead the party in the interim.

    The committee, which is to be chaired by former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, will midwife an election of new leadership in 90 days.

    The stakeholders in a letter jointly signed by Peter Obi and Governor Otti told the Commission that the care-taker committee followed the de-recognition of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) by INEC effective June 2024.

    The letter which contained the list of 29-man care-taker committee named Senator Esther Nenadi Usman as the Chairman, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha as the Secretary.

    LP said the Caretaker Committee has the mandate to organise congresses and the national convention within a period not exceeding 180 days to fill the vacuum created by the expiration of the tenure of the erstwhile leadership of the party at all levels.

    “You will recall that Labour Party had had a leadership crisis in recent times culminating in the de-recognition of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) by INEC effective June 2024.

    “Given the above scenario, the statutory executives of the party made up of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and legislators in addition to all surviving members of NEC, the leadership of organised labour, representatives of Governorship Candidates in the 2023 election and subsequent ones, Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates in the 2023 election and other party leaders met in Umuahia, Abia State on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 and set up a Caretaker Committee to organise congresses and the national convention within a period not exceeding 180 days to fill the vacuum created by the expiration of the tenure of the erstwhile leadership of the party at all levels.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Labour Party crisis: Obi joins forces with Otti, others to remove Abure

    Labour Party crisis: Obi joins forces with Otti, others to remove Abure

    Following the crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP), the sole governor of the party, Dr. Alex Otti and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, joined others to elect ex-minister of finance, Mrs Nenadi Usman, as caretaker Chairman of the party.

    This was confirmed by Daniel Gambo, member of national transition committee formed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to newsmen on Wednesday.

    He said Usman was elected to chair the party’s 29-member national caretaker committee.

    The meeting held at the Banquet Hall of Abia Government House, Umuahia, the state capital, on Wednesday.

    It was convened by Governor Otti and was attended by Peter Obi; and Datti Baba-Ahmed, his running mate, among others.

    “The stakeholders met at the Banquet hall of Abia state government house during which Hon. Senator Nenadi Usman was unanimously nominated to chair the newly constituted LP caretaker committee to see to the conduct of state congresses and the all inclusive national convention. The secretary is Hon Darlington Onwokocha,” Gambo said.

    He also said that the house endorsed the constitution of 29 member committee drawn from the senate, house of representatives, the six geopolitical zones, NLC and TUC.

    Meanwhile, the embattled national chairman of the LP, Barrister Julius Abure, has rejected the emergence of Nenadi.

    Abure who dismissed the Abia meeting insisted he remains the legitimate national chairman of the party.

    A statement signed by the national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, described Nenadi Usman’s appointment as illegal and unconstitutional.

    “We firmly believe in the leadership of our National Chairman Barrister Julius Abure and the National Working Committee and remain committed to working together with them as a united and focused party to achieve our common goals and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Nigeria,” he said.

    He said the premise on which Governor Otti called the meeting is not only faulty but mischievous.

    “Government business is not transacted verbally but through official communication and correspondences which are done in writing. As we speak, there is no communication whatsoever from INEC to the Party as regards any objection to the conduct of the National Convention.

    “We challenge Alex Otti to produce the official letter addressed to him from INEC on the subject matter. There is no vacuum in the leadership of the Party. Consequently, the so-called caretaker committee set up by the Governor of Abia State is not known to the constitution of the Party and can best be described as a department in Abia State Government House.

    “We are shocked to note that the so-called chairman of the caretaker committee is not a registered member of the Party. She surfaced during the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign to assist Peter Obi in his campaign.”

     

     

  • Otti reshuffles cabinet, assigns portfolios to new Commissioners

    Otti reshuffles cabinet, assigns portfolios to new Commissioners

    Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reshuffled his cabinet, 15 months into his administration. He also assigned portfolios to six new commissioners, who were sworn-in on Wednesday.

    The new Commissioners, namely Mr David Kalu, Dr Uwaoma Ukandu and Prof. Enoch Uche, were assigned to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, those of Finance and Health, respectively.

    The announcement is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ukoha Njoku, and made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday.

    The governor also created the Ministry of Labour and Productivity with the former Commissioner for Transport, Mr Sunny Onwuma, in charge.

    Otti carved out the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy from Ministry of Information and Culture, with Mr Matthew Ekwuribe as the Commissioner.

    He also split the Ministry of Education into the Ministry of Secondary and Basic Education and Ministry of Tertiary Education with Mr Goodluck Ubochi and Prof. Uche Eme Uche, as Commissioners, respectively.

    Also, the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection was carved out from the Ministry of Women Affairs with Dr Maureen Aghukwa as the Commissioner.

    The Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industry was split into the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and Ministry of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises with Mr Kingsley Nwokocha and Mr Mike Akpara as Commissioners, respectively.

    Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, who was the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, was redeployed to the Ministry of Transport.

    The Ministry of Agriculture had yet to get a Commissioner, after Prof. Monica Ironkwe resigned her appointment on July 16.

  • We’ve not received a dime from FG to implement wage award – Otti

    We’ve not received a dime from FG to implement wage award – Otti

    Gov. Alex Otti  of Abia has said that the State Government has not  received funds from the Federal Government for the  implementation of N35,000 wage award.

    Otti said this during a meeting in Abia with labour  leaders, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council in  Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

    He said :”There has been misleading stories all over the place that the Federal government gave monies to the state governments for the implementation of the wage award.

    “Last time I checked, there were no such monies. This state has not received a dime from the Federal government to implement any wage award.”

    Otti also said that the government has been implementing the minimum wage as the state’s payroll  indicates that least paid worker receives N30,000 as salary every month.

    “I see the payroll and I didn’t see anyone that is paid less than N30,000 and that is the minimum wage.

    “Maybe something is wrong and I’ll like the Accountant-General to please look into that because what is available to me shows we are complying with the minimum wage of N30,000 and that the least paid worker is actually paid N30,000.

    “When I read in the media that we are not complying, I took it as a hatchet man’s job but you repeating it here means something is wrong somewhere.

    “I’ll like that a reconciliation happens between the Organized Labor and the Office of the Accountant General,” Otti said.

    He said that there was need for the minimum wage to be increased  due to economic concerns such as removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange rate adjustments, inflation, and poverty.

    Otti reiterated the state government’s readiness to implement  the new minimum wage immediately the federal government finalised its decision on the matter.

    “We don’t want to move ahead of the Federal Government, so that’s why I’m showing keen interest in discussions between the Federal government and the organised labour at the center,” he said.

    Otti said that the decision to reverse the command promotions given to workers was informed by the discovery  of the flawed process through which they were given by the past administration.

    He assured the unions that workers would continue to receive  promotions following due process and  directed the Accountant General to disburse leave allowances to Abia workers.

    He said that the arrears of salaries owed workers in the state-owned institutions of higher learning would be paid in tranches.

    Otti also directed the Head of Service and Accountant General to  involve the organised labour in the workers’ verification conducted by the government.

    He said that plans were underway to create a Ministry of Labour and Productivity to further enhance the relationship  between the government and labour.

    Otti said that the ministry would play a vital role in addressing labour concerns more effectively.

    He said that a substantive commissioner from the “Labour Community” would be appointed to head the new ministry.

    Earlier, the State NLC Chairman, Mr Ogbonnaya Okoro, expressed delight over the harmonious relationship between the organised labour and the government.

    Okoro said that several issues had prompted the issuance of notice of a planned industrial action.

    He said that the issues include the non-payment of the ₦30,000 minimum wage, non-payment of the ₦35,000 wage award and  exclusion of labour from the verification exercise.

    Okoro also urged the government to address the non-payment of leave allowance to workers and severance allowances for recently retired permanent secretaries and directors.

    The organised labour in the state on Monday issued a notice of its plan to embark on an indefinite strike from July 15.

  • Otti award scholarship to children of police officers killed in Abia

    Otti award scholarship to children of police officers killed in Abia

    The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has awarded scholarship up to university level to all the children of two officers killed last Friday by unknown gunmen.

    Otti in a statement on Saturday commiserated with the families of the deceased officers, assuring that his government will continue to stand in solidarity with the police and other security agencies in the state to ensure that they discharge their duties without fear.

    The attack is coming almost a month after some soldiers were killed by criminals at Obikabia junction, which is less than a kilometer away from Opobo junction.

    The governor assured children of the two slain officers that the Abia state government would be supporting the families for their upkeep.

    Otti said, “Without doubt, these atrocious and reckless violent onslaughts against security agents in the state bear the imprimatur of a well sponsored act of terror geared towards spreading fear and confusion in the state, with a view to derailing the generally acclaimed progress being recorded in the state by the present government.

    “Our message is that, severe consequences await all perpetrators and enablers of terror in Abia State.

    “Having swung into action and apprehended some of the criminals directly involved in the killing of the five soldiers at Obikabia while investigation is still on-going to identify their allies and sponsors, our government will deploy the same energy and resources to ensure that those responsible for this latest killing are brought to justice.”

    The governor reassured the people of Abia that the same courage and commitment with which his government destroyed the criminal architecture erected by kidnappers and other criminals at Lokpanta in Umunneochi, and restored peace there, will be replicated to get rid of those behind the recent attacks in Aba.