By Peter Okore, Umuahia
Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, says the successes recorded by his administration in the past three years are attributable to God, as he also announced plans to commence the construction of an Ecumenical Centre in Umuahia.
Governor Otti made the remarks on Sunday during an interdenominational thanksgiving service held at Trademore Event Centre, Umuahia, to commemorate the third anniversary of his administration.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to serving God and fulfilling the promises made to the people at the inception of his government.
According to the governor, thanksgiving and worship remain a personal conviction for him and his family, stressing that giving glory to God is necessary for the achievements recorded so far by his administration.
Otti disclosed that immediately after assuming office, his administration rededicated Abia State to God and resolved to rely on divine guidance in governance.
“We started by taking the State to God in prayers and rededicated the State immediately after we were sworn in,” the governor stated.
He further revealed plans to commence the construction of an Ecumenical Centre in Umuahia, describing it as a personal project that would be privately funded without any financial contribution from the state government.
According to him, the project is in fulfilment of a vow he made to God, adding that the land for the centre was acquired in 2009, long before he became governor.
“We vowed that we are going to build an Ecumenical Centre in Umuahia for God. The Ecumenical Centre is not going to be built with government money. No dime from the State Government will go into it,” Otti said.
The governor also thanked religious leaders for their sustained prayers and support, particularly appreciating the President of Living Word Ministries International, Dr. Emma Okorie, for standing by him over the years.
Otti recalled that during his 2014 governorship bid, Dr. Okorie faced persecution from officials of previous administrations for associating with him.
In his sermon titled “Where There is No Vision, the People Perish,” Dr. Emma Okorie described Governor Otti as “God-sent” to deliver Abia people from years of hardship and poor leadership.
Drawing parallels with the biblical story of the Israelites in Egypt, Okorie said Abia State had suffered setbacks for 24 years under leaders without vision until the emergence of Otti.
He maintained that Otti’s emergence as governor was evidence that God had answered the prayers of Abians.
Also speaking, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Ukpong, urged the governor and members of his cabinet not to relent in doing good, assuring them of God’s guidance and protection.
“All God needs from you is your trust and for you to continue doing good.
“Do not allow anything to distract you from the good works you are doing, and the prayers of the people will continue to be with you,” Bishop Ukpong said.
In his remarks, the Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Umuahia Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzor Opoko, highlighted several achievements of the Otti administration, including infrastructural development, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, clearance of arrears owed by previous administrations, erosion control, improvements in healthcare delivery, and reforms in the education sector.
He stated that Governor Otti had restored pride among Abians and urged residents to support the administration’s transformational agenda.
The thanksgiving service attracted dignitaries from within and outside the state.