In a significant address at the 2025 Ngwa Day Celebration, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State outlined a concrete economic strategy centered on industrial revival as the primary driver for job creation and enhanced security. Speaking at the event, themed “Ngwaness: Umunna Ehila,” Otti positioned the resuscitation of moribund state-owned industries as a non-negotiable pillar for sustaining the state’s ongoing transformation.
The governor’s plan moves beyond rhetoric, identifying specific assets slated for acquisition or revival. These include the Star Paper Mill, Afro Beverages, Aba Textile Mill, International Glass Industry, and the Metallurgical Plant. This targeted approach acknowledges the historical foresight of Abia’s founders while attempting to convert dormant industrial capital into modern employment opportunities. Otti directly linked economic idleness to criminal activity, stating, “crime often thrived, where people were not gainfully employed,” thereby framing job creation as a critical component of his security policy.
On security, Otti emphasized a community-based model, urging every citizen to act as a stakeholder by reporting suspicious activities. He assured residents that “no one should live in fear in the state,” a commitment echoed by several lawmakers present. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Senator Austin Akobundu both commended the administration for measurable improvements in state security and socio-economic growth.
A pivotal moment of the celebration was the formal endorsement of Chief Theo Nkire, the state’s first Attorney-General, as the new leader of the Ngwa people. Governor Otti described the choice as “commendable” and offered his full support, urging Nkire to prioritize the social and economic progress of Ngwaland. This endorsement follows a year of mourning for the previous leader, Dr. Emmanuel Adaelu. Professor Paul Ananaba, President of the Ngwa Social Club, clarified that Nkire’s appointment was unanimous, citing his “experience, integrity and long record of service” as qualifications for providing credible leadership.
Otti also used the platform to underscore the cultural significance of the event, announcing plans for the Abia Government to honour the first Ngwa leader, Chief Jaja Wachukwu, with a posthumous 108th birthday celebration on January 1, 2026. This move, alongside the vibrant displays by cultural groups like Ikoro and Ekpo, highlighted the administration’s parallel focus on heritage preservation alongside economic development.
While appealing for patience, noting that only 30 months had passed since his inauguration, Otti framed the recovery of the commercial city of Aba as the foundational achievement, declaring that “without Aba, there is no Ngwaland.” This sentiment was reinforced by Chief Chidi Ajaegbu, a former Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, who pointed to a cleaner Aba and prompt payment of salaries as tangible evidence of the state’s “significant transformation.”
The event, held at Ngwa High School in Aba and attended by prominent Ngwa figures from diverse sectors, served as both a cultural showcase and a strategic governance update. It effectively merged the affirmation of a new traditional leadership structure with the presentation of a detailed, industry-focused economic plan, setting a clear agenda for the remainder of Otti’s term.
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