New Year speech: Gov. Otti sets the tone toward sustaining Abia’s transformation
By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu
Gov. Alex Otti has again set the agenda for Abia’s development in his 2026 New Year broadcast, when he carefully mapped out his intentions for the state’s economic growth.
Framed around gratitude, resolve and renewal, the speech read like a ledger of how far Abia State had travelled in less than three years and revealing a compass that points to where it hopes to go next.
The tone was set with a nod to collective effort. From the opening salutation to “Umunne m ndi Abia”, the governor anchored his message in shared sacrifice and shared ownership of progress.
He thanked the people not merely for their political support but their daily labour that sustains families and communities. Development, in this telling, is not a gift from the government but a partnership, with the state acting as the organiser and enabler.
That sense of partnership runs through the broader reflection on a new year as both opportunity and test. Gov. Otti did not deny the uncertainties ahead.
Instead, he described resilience as Abia’s strongest currency, arguing that progress belongs not to the strongest or the loudest but those who remain resolute. It was a philosophical preamble before the policy detail, a reminder that governance is as much about mindset as infrastructure.
Transportation and connectivity emerged as a central pillar of the administration’s economic strategy.
The governor linked road construction and mass transit directly to reduced production costs, job creation and higher productivity across urban and rural areas.
The plan to deploy 100 electric buses across major routes by the end of the year signals an ambition to marry affordability with sustainability, while the completion of multimodal transport terminals and strategic roads is designed to ease the movement of people, farm produce and industrial goods. In this vision, mobility is not just about travel but unlocking value chains.
Equally prominent was the quieter work of reforming institutions. Across ministries and agencies, the government has pushed a new work ethic, backed by incentives, welfare improvements and a strong emphasis on competence.
The proposed investment of about N5 billion in manpower training and the creation of a dedicated training centre underlines a belief that reforms endure only when institutions are equipped to deliver them. The insistence on posting the right people to the right offices speaks to a desire to replace patronage with performance.
Land reform and housing policy were presented as twin levers for economic confidence. The much publicised certificate of occupancy in 30 days initiative has already simplified land transactions, while automation and digital land mapping promise greater transparency and rising property values.
The housing sector, in turn, is being positioned as both a social good and an investment opportunity, with plans spanning low income earners to high end developments, supported by roads, power and security. The message to investors was clear: the state intends to reduce risk by providing infrastructure and policy clarity.
Education occupied a substantial portion of the address, reflecting its place at the heart of the administration’s long-term vision. One year after the introduction of free and compulsory basic education, the governor outlined tangible steps taken to reset the system, from recruiting thousands of teachers to retrofitting schools and tightening supervision.
The planned recruitment of additional teachers and the restoration of science and technical schools point to an emphasis on relevance, while smart schools and modern pedagogy are meant to prepare children for a changing world of work. That commitment is reinforced by the allocation of 20 per cent of the 2026 budget to education, a figure that signals priority as much as policy.
Healthcare followed a similar narrative of rebuilding trust. Functional primary healthcare centres, revived general hospitals and expanded tertiary facilities have, according to the governor, begun to reverse years of decline.
The growing enrolment in the state’s health insurance scheme and continued budgetary commitment suggest an attempt to move from emergency fixes to systemic care, guided by the belief that the true wealth of a community lies in the health of its people.
Energy policy was framed in almost civilisational terms. Electricity, the governor argued, is the livewire of growth, innovation and security.
The establishment of a state electricity regulator, the acquisition of distribution infrastructure outside the Aba corridor and the adoption of a mini grid framework all point to a bold reimagining of the power sector. While acknowledging that the transition may not be smooth, the administration expressed confidence that the foundations for energy sufficiency are now in place, with 2026 projected as a promising year for both investors and consumers.
Agriculture, women empowerment and youth development were woven into a broader social and economic fabric. From farmer databases and improved agro asset management to targeted support for women, young graduates and entrepreneurs, the government presented itself as attentive to inclusion. Special consideration for persons living with disabilities, renewed attention to the vulnerable and a structured plan to clear long-standing gratuity arrears for retirees added a human dimension to the policy agenda.
The address also looked outward, urging civic responsibility among the citizenry. With electoral preparations on the horizon, the governor called on eligible citizens to register and participate, arguing that democracy is strengthened not by withdrawal but engagement. On security, he balanced reassurance with warning, portraying Abia as a safe destination, while insisting on vigilance and zero tolerance for lawlessness.
As he closed, Gov. Otti returned to gratitude, acknowledging the roles of the executive team, legislature, judiciary and wider stakeholders.
He reminded citizens that development ultimately depends on collective contribution, including the regular payment of taxes, which the administration hopes would soon fund recurrent expenditure.
In summary, the governor’s New Year broadcast offered a panoramic view of governance in Abia, blending reflection with resolve and policy with purpose.
It painted 2026 as a defining year, one in which earlier reforms are expected to mature and new ambitions are tested. Whether all the targets are met remains to be seen, but the clarity of direction was unmistakable.
For Abia, the message was simple yet demanding: the path forward is open, but it requires shared effort, steady resolve and faith in the promise of a new beginning.