Dangote, Obiano, Amaechi, others laud Dr. Otti at 53

OBINNA EZUGWU

Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano and Transportation Minister, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi among others on Sunday, paid glowing tributes to the former Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Dr Alex Otti as he marked his 53rd birthday.

The trio who were among guests at a party organized in honour of Dr. Otti at 53 on Sunday, February 18, at Ikoyi, Lagos, took turns to eulogise the celebrant who they described as a hardworking, honest and reliable person.

In his tribute, Dangote said Dr. Otti is a man he is very happy to be associated with.

“Alex is very trustworthy, dependable and very straightforward,” he said. “In terms of honesty, you can’t really fault him.”

Turning to the celebrant, he said “I congratulate you and also congratulate your wife who is always standing beside you. It is an honor to be here, I feel honored to be associated with you.”

In his own remarks, Governor Obiano said Dr. Otti is a man he has known over the years as a professional colleague, but having had cause to work more closely with him of late, he could say he is a very reliable person.

“Alex Otti, is a good man,” he noted. “In recent times, I have worked closely him. I count him as a friend and a dependable ally. We shall once more work together in no distant time.”

Also speaking, Amaechi who was Dr. Otti’s school mate at the University of Port Harcourt, explained that the former banker is a very exceptional individual who has always done great things even from their school days.

He observed that he made “First Class with ease” and as a banker, he was a banker per excellence.”

Other quests on the occasion, including Senator Victor Umeh, Nkem Okeke, deputy governor of Anambra; Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, MD, Fidelity Bank; Mr. Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director, Shell Nigeria; his predecessor, Mutiu Sunmonu; Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu, CEO of Heritage Capital Markets; Mr. Uduma Okoro Kalu, Managing Director of SouthGlobe Ltd among others equally took turns to praise the celebrant on the occasion.

Thanking the guests, Dr. Otti said he was overwhelmed by the goodwill shown to him, just as he used the occasion to declare his intention to run for the office of governor in Abia state in 2019.

“I thank all of you who have come to here today. Let me particularly thank my friend and brother, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, for always being stadfast; for always supporting me in everything that I do. There is hardly anytime I call on him and he will not answer me.”

On the 2019 question, he emphasised: “Somebody said that if you started a journey in the morning, and you were clear about your destination, the only reason to stop is that you have gotten to your destination.

“It is either you go back to where you are coming from or you continue until you get to your destination. We are continuing until we get to out destination.

“A lot of people quarrelled about my decision to quit my job as CEO of Diamond Bank to contest an election, it is understandable, but I’m also a strong believer in what Edmund Burke said several years ago that the only condition necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

“I think it was also Plato who said that when smart and intelligent people refuse to participate in politics, they take sway their right to complain when fools begin to rule them.”

Guests at the event