Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed that his administration is firmly rooted in meritocracy, declaring that competence, capacity, and performance remain the sole criteria for appointments in Abia State Government under his leadership.
The Governor restated this during the 2025 Alayi Day Celebration, where he commended the Alayi community for producing distinguished sons and daughters who continue to contribute meaningfully to the State and the nation at large.
According to Governor Otti, his government is not guided by place of origin, ethnicity, or sentiment, but by the value individuals bring to public service.
“It is important to state, just as the Professor said, that people who get appointments under this government do so based on merit.
“We don’t care where you come from; we care about what you can offer, what you have in your brains between your two ears. That is what matters to us.
“Our government is a government of meritocracy, and meritocracy will always win the debate,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor specifically applauded his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and son of Alayi, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, describing him as one of the most consistent members of his team from 2014 to 2023, when he eventually emerged as Governor.
He also praised the Honourable Commissioner for Health, noting that Abia State has recorded significant milestones in the health sector under competent leadership and attributed these achievements to the deliberate appointment of capable professionals into strategic positions.
“We have been winning awards. We are the most prepared State to handle medical emergencies in Nigeria. We are number one.
“We are also number one in the Southeast in the area of primary healthcare, and we won a prize of $500,000 a few weeks ago.
“When you appoint the right people, you can go to sleep – they will produce results”, Gov. Otti stated.
He thanked the Alayi people for their warm reception and their support to his administration, and aannounced his personal donation to the community’s fundraising project.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche noted that, no government has remembered the Alayi people like that of Governor Alex Otti, saying that the Governor fixed their roads and opened up the entire Abia North corridors.
Professor Uche disclosed that, out of the 200 primary health centres being done in the State under Project Ekwueme, 16 PHCs are found in Bende LGA alone including Alayi.
He thanked the Governor for all that he has been doing for them and assured that they are solidly behind him.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma said that, over the years , the people of Alayi have been supporting Governor Otti, adding that he is happy that, within 2 years plus in office, the Governor has changed the narratives in governance and changed the chequered history of Abia.
Mr Ekeoma assured that Alayi people would continue to stand firm with him, and appreciated the things he has done for the people of Alayi.
Earlier in their speeches, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Udo Nwokocha and the President General, Alayi Development Union, World Wide, Engr. Chris Ndubuisi Eke appreciated the Governor for coming to identify with them on their special day.
They said that they are witnesses to the Governor’s developmental projects in the State, including the appointment of their sons into his administration, fixing of Amaozara water project, upgrade of Umunneato General Hospital, prompt response to repairing of Alayi – Item road, provision of electric transformer among others.
Governor Otti had earlier attended house warming ceremony of Dr Charles Emeka Kalu at Amaogwu village, Bende LGA, where he appreciated Dr Kalu for building a befitting abode in his home town, rather than building it in popular cities, and thanked the entire Bende for their sustained support.
The event attracted many government officials including, member representing Bende North State Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ekekwe, among many signatories.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
30 – 12 – 2025.
