Alex C. Otti

A RESILIENT SUPPORT SYSTEM

Being the Text of an Address Presented by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 CEOs Retreat of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia on Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Protocol

1. Knowledge is the foundation of enduring development; it is the cornerstone of prosperity and the hallmark of true freedom. Without the light of learning, the superiority and dominance of our specie in the order of creation would be greatly diminished. Like every treasure, knowledge is only admirable when it is shared and applied in pursuit of uplifting ideals and values. It is not for nothing that mankind, since the beginning of time, has continued to cross oceans and deserts, hills and valleys, to either share, or profit from ideas that hold great potential for improving the lots of the human population. True knowledge compels engagements, seeks channels of outflow and delights in seeing its seeds bearing greater fruits.

2. This morning, we have gathered in continuation of an ancient tradition of traveling from places far and near to share ideas, ask questions and enrich our bank of knowledge. Let me now on this note, welcome key industry players and stakeholders of the Nigerian insurance industry to our dear State capital, Umuahia, for the 2026 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) Retreat. I would like to express the collective gratitude of the Government and people of Abia State to the decision-makers of the insurance industry for hosting this year’s event in Abia, God’s Own State. We are delighted for the opportunity to provide the stage for the unveiling of the next big thing in the insurance industry because I have no doubt in my mind that this event would not only bear great fruits, it would usher us into a new epoch in the evolution of the Nigerian insurance ecosystem. My confidence is not for nothing because after taking time to reflect on the interaction we had yesterday, I can say without any equivocation that the future of the industry is not only bright, it begins right here.

3. Permit me, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, to appreciate the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mrs Ekeoma Ezeibe, for her enduring commitment to the growth of the insurance industry over more than 3 decades of active participation, mentorship and leadership in the sector. I am particularly glad that she is leading the body of registered insurance brokers in the country at a time like this when the system is in dire need of leaders who think outside the box. Commendations are also due to other members of the management team, the league of past presidents and other officials who are here with us in Umuahia for this all-important event. Thank you for sharing in the vision of liberalising and deepening the knowledge of insurance in the country. May I alert you beforehand that the job ahead of you would be quite demanding and the reason is simple; you would be battling decades of misinformation, superstition and falsehood as you go out to engage a largely cynical population. I am, however, glad that you have started the journey nonetheless; with the passion, vision and commitment of the President and other leaders of the NCRIB, things may change much sooner than expected because no system of resistance can stand the power of a resilient team.

4. I would also like to appreciate the leadership of the National Insurance Commission for the significant reforms happening in the Nigerian insurance industry. It is particularly noteworthy that the Chief Executive Office of the Commission, Chief Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, is part of this retreat. His presence and active participation in multiple sessions point to the commitment of the Commission to offer dynamic institutional support for the accelerated growth of the insurance industry. May I also take a moment to appreciate the CEOs and principal executives of the body of registered insurance brokers participating in this retreat. Thank you for making the necessary sacrifices to be here but as I earlier mentioned, this is not a regular retreat, it is an event that would define the future of the insurance industry in the country. I am therefore glad that every major stakeholder group is fully represented as it may be difficult to compensate for the regrets of missing out.

5. I began my opening statement by pointing us to the importance of knowledge and why men and women travelled through impossible tracks to learn something new through the ages. I see this retreat as a learning encounter, an invitation to share our ideas on the future we envision for the industry as a body of advisors and support system for millions of Nigerian insurance consumers. This is a special opportunity to reflect on our attitude to the industry over the years, evaluate what we have done right and appreciate what needs to change as we begin a new epoch. At less than 1% of the size of our Gross Domestic Product, the current insurance pe*******on rate in the country does not reflect well on us as stakeholders and the implications are clear; the first is that millions of Nigerians, individuals and businesses, are missing out on the shield that insurance would normally have offered them. Beyond the vulnerability and susceptibility to all forms of risks, the present reality with respect to insurance pe*******on tells the story of an industry on life support. The more troubling part is that we are missing out on opportunities for job creation, especially for our young people, investment opportunities and other streams of benefits that a more robust insurance industry would have availed us. For context, South Africa has insurance pe*******on of 11.5% and Namibia, 7.4% of GDP. The global average is 7.3%, so Nigeria at less than 1% is not good and should be addressed.

6. To be clear, this is not an attempt to downplay the efforts you have made in over 6 decades of driving indigenous participation and leadership in the industry. I would be the first to acknowledge that you have been remarkably resilient in dealing with the ups and downs of the system through years of political and economic uncertainties. The central theme of my message, however, is that we now have to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and do whatever needs to be done to drive the outcomes that we seek as stakeholders. Evidently, the only way forward is up. The good thing, however, is that the odds are now in your favour following landmark legislations that strengthen the hands of stakeholders, especially consumers, a new leadership team that is determined to change the status quo and a long list of new markets and opportunities to exploit across the country.

7. The assignment for us in Umuahia is to take advantage of the serenity that the environment provides to draw up strategies that would deepen insurance pe*******on in every part of the country. I am particularly glad that the new NCRIB leadership has chosen Umuahia as the pilot State for its insurance pe*******on drive. We welcome this opportunity wholeheartedly. As I told the NCRIB leadership team earlier in the year, our administration is prepared to provide every support that would be required to achieve the vision. I had since directed the President of the Abia Leadership Academy to partner fully with the NCRIB to teach short insurance courses to our young people in its 2026 training programme. I would also want the NCRIB leadership team to explore partnership opportunities with all the public and private tertiary institutions in the State, a framework should be developed to identify the number of young insurance ambassadors that can be trained and deployed to the communities and markets in the months ahead. I believe that if committed efforts are made to teach the gains of insurance, expose communities to the provisions and safety guarantees of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act of 2025 and other important developments in the sector, the attitude and culture would ultimately begin to shift.

8. While we may blame economic difficulties for low insurance pe*******on in the country, I see limited awareness as a bigger barrier because ignorance is a brick wall, it locks one away and blinds one from seeing opportunities that are right in front of one. I would advise that dismantling the barricade of ignorance should be the first order of business in the new dispensation. People need to know what they stand to benefit by buying insurance covers for themselves, loved ones, businesses and of course, whatever possession they consider dear as we see in other parts of the world. The changes that we seek would not happen by mere wish, all hands have to be on deck to bring our people to a new awareness of the opportunities and protection that exist in the industry. As I had already hinted, this current retreat presents a perfect opportunity to develop a dynamic framework to guide us into the future.

9. I would particularly encourage us to adopt a broader outlook in the way we understand our assignment. We should not look at the industry as a closed unit but connect our strategy to align with the broader opportunities in the larger economy. Insurance has a primary responsibility of providing shield to individuals and businesses but there is more. Our people are naturally resilient; we are generally optimistic especially in business but optimism in itself is not a strategy for survival when things go south. According to multiple sources, including the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and other agencies of Government like the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), between 80% - 95% of micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) in the country fail within the first 5 years of launch. There could be a thousand and one explanations for this terrible failure rate but my theory is that things could have been a lot better if the businesses had the right insurance protection. As we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic or in the ongoing conflict in Iran, unanticipated, sudden developments can cause severe disruptions to businesses and oftentimes, the worst hit are those on the lower rungs of the ladder. Getting our body of urban and rural entrepreneurs and farmers to buy suitable insurance covers for themselves and their businesses would not only enable them weather the storms of unforeseen events, it guarantees that jobs are not lost and that household income sources are protected in the event of uncertainties. The same logic holds true for civil servants and informal sector workers. Beyond the industry itself, deepening insurance pe*******on is a critical economic development initiative that could leave a big dent on poverty, unemployment and other unfavourable economic indices.

10. Let me conclude by telling us that Abia is ready for the next big thing in the insurance industry; our body of stakeholders shall be waiting to receive you in the markets, chambers of commerce, schools and everywhere else you need to go. They will be on hand to provide the necessary support to drive market pe*******on in different economic ecosystems in the State. I would also recommend that you look beyond the traditional business model and instead, explore ways of mainstreaming technology. This may be a good time to make the most of new innovations in the ICT space to bring more individuals, households and businesses into the insurance net. The interesting thing is that Abia is a major market in view of the peculiarity of our economic philosophy as a community of entrepreneurs and dreamers. With the modest achievements that have been recorded on several fronts, especially infrastructure restoration and expansion, in the last few years, I am fully convinced that the market would keep growing bigger as more investors move in to take advantage of the promises of the New Abia.

11. May I now declare this retreat formally open and wish you success in your deliberations

12. Thank you and God bless you.

Today, I had the pleasure of receiving a distinguished delegation from the Nigerian insurance industry led by Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe, President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB). They were joined by Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), alongside other industry leaders.

I commended NCRIB for its efforts to deepen insurance awareness and pe*******on across Nigeria. Insurance plays a vital role in protecting individuals, businesses, and investments from unforeseen risks, and I am pleased that the industry is engaging directly with the public to build trust and confidence.

In Abia, where many of our people are engaged in trade, manufacturing, and MSMEs, insurance serves as a critical safety net. I welcome the launch of the Insurance Pe*******on Initiative in our state and pledge my administration’s full support to encourage wider participation. We will continue to promote financial security, economic sustainability, and inclusive growth for all Abians.

As the 2026 Insurance Chief Executive Officers’ Retreat continues here in Umuahia, I wish the Council and all participants fruitful deliberations and great success in their engagements.

Yesterday, the Labour Party in Abia State successfully conducted its primary elections for the 2027 Governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly positions. I am humbled to have emerged as the Governorship candidate with 368,230 votes.

I sincerely thank the Labour Party Election Primary Committee, INEC officials led by the Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sylvia Agu, and our party leaders for ensuring a peaceful, transparent and rancour-free process. I also congratulate all our candidates who emerged across the State.

This marks the beginning of the real work ahead. Being chosen as candidates means we must now contend, campaign and convince the people. Election is about service and responsibility, and at the end of the day only the best will win.

I urge all our candidates and supporters to reach out to Abians everywhere, both within and outside the party, so that together we can build a stronger Labour Party and deliver greater progress for our State and Nigeria.

On a solemn note, I regret to announce the passing of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu. He was a good man and his loss is deeply felt. May his soul rest in peace.

With unity, discipline and commitment, we will consolidate on our achievements and continue to serve Ndị Abia with integrity.

DIGNITY, PUBLIC WELFARE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Being the Text of a State Broadcast by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, to Mark the 3rd Anniversary of His Administration

1. Umunnem ndi Abia, friends of our dear State, men and women of goodwill, I bring you joyful greeting as we mark yet another epoch in the continuing evolution of our land as a development frontline. Permit me to begin on a note of profound gratitude to the Almighty God to whom this State and its people are wholly dedicated. This day presents us a special opportunity to reflect on how far we have come, appreciate ourselves for the modest strides, and make a conscious decision to face the future with courage. Indeed, we have come a long way but the road ahead is still far, our journey is only just beginning. For all its shortcomings and imperfections, democracy has provided us a genuine vehicle for accelerated development. Better than all other alternatives, the freedom to choose our leaders, which is democracy’s ultimate advantage, has given us the leverage to take our destiny in our own hands.

2. On this day 3 years ago, a new era opened for us, as a government elected by the popular will of the people took the reins of leadership. From the very minute we took our oath, the task of charting a new course for the State kicked off in earnest. We hit the ground running from the very beginning because the promise of restoration could wait no longer. We were resolute in our resolve to push things into motion because we understood the weight of public expectation on our shoulders. Barely 24 hours after our inauguration, we were in the streets of Aba, leading the refuse disposal effort, not minding the heavy downpour. By refusing to be held back by an inclement weather, we sent out a clear message that the era of making excuses for failure was over. Ours is far from a perfect administration but even the most fervent critic cannot but acknowledge that on the most critical measures of progress, Abia, in the last 3 years, has turned the corner.

3. With the successful ex*****on of more than 400 road infrastructure projects covering over 800 kilometres, it is safe to say that our journey into the transformation of our road networks as a major driver of prosperity across urban and rural communities has started. In the next few months, 82 other roads stretching over 200 kilometres shall be delivered and opened for public use. Our road infrastructure investments are carefully spread in ways that leave no part of the State behind; we are as mindful of the expectations of the Aba industrial and trading community as we are conscious of the wealth of resources that quality roads can open up in our agrarian centres. The timely completion of Port Harcout Road in Aba, Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard in Umuahia and the 67-kilometre Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abriba-Ohafia Road offers a telling example of the balance of our outlay. The quality of work on the new bridge over Igu River, adjacent to the historic Omenuko Bridge, point to the joy of restoration and the place of memory in our evolution. This same testimony is what you get from regular commuters at Ohanku Road in Aba, a road that lay in ruins for decades. The dualization of the 5.95-kilometre road leading to Abia Tower from Onuimo Bridge, now named Uma Ukpai Way, and the completion of the 11.5-kilometre Nunya- Eluama Road, now known as Ndubuisi Kanu Road amongst hundreds of other projects, stand as abiding testament to the measure of progress the State has witnessed in the last 36 months.

4. In addition to building durable, aesthetically-appealing roads, this administration has also recorded decent strides in quality healthcare delivery through sustained investments in personnel, infrastructure and the consistent supply of quality drugs and medical consumables. In the last 3 years, we have recruited close to a thousand healthcare professionals, from consultants to health technicians. The new employees have been posted to tertiary, secondary and primary health facilities to support the wellbeing of our people in the urban and rural communities. In pursuit of the compelling vision of setting the pace in public health delivery ecosystem, we have consistently earmarked 15% of our annual budget to the sector. This outlay has enabled the retrofitting and functionalisation of 277 and over 120 primary health facilities respectively. The general hospitals in Obingwa, Okeikpe, Ikwuano, Arochukwu and Ohafia have been retrofitted and supplied with relevant equipment to meet the New Abia service standard. In the same vein, we have also made good progress in tertiary health services following the resuscitation and expansion of the service framework at the Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre here in Umuahia. Our projection is that over the next few months, the ongoing construction and remodelling projects at the Abia State University Teaching and Amachara General Hospitals shall be completed to further expand the tertiary care space. In the New Abia, the first measure of wealth is the health of the people. It is for this reason that we are pulling all the stops to set standards that align with our outlook for the sector.

5. Education is at the centre of our long-term development plan as documented, legislated upon and signed into law. The logic is that while our investments in physical infrastructure answer to the economic and social needs of the present, prosperity in the future will require a mass of enlightened and highly skilled population. In order not to be caught unawares by the demands of the new age economy, we had made it a convention to allocate no less than 20% of our annual budgetary provision to the education sector. It has been 3 years of consistency and the results are beginning to manifest as predicted. Just recently, I was at the Abia State University Uturu to commission several projects including hostel facilities and a 5MVA power substation. While in Uturu, we also flagged off the construction of a combined 10, 000 bed hostels for male and female students, new faculty buildings for the faculties of law and agriculture, a university cafeteria and kilometres of internal roads. Decent infrastructure turnaround is also happening at the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba and the College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu. In Aba and Arochukwu, we have completed the restoration of several residential facilities, lecture halls, intra-campus roads, sports complexes and other significant infrastructure projects. The more fundamental development happening in the tertiary education space is the recruitment of hundreds of quality personnel to instruct and mentor our students in their chosen fields of learning. We recently launched an initiative to stamp out the evil of extortion within the institutions. In the basic and secondary education sub-sector, I mentioned last week that we have not moved at the pace we wanted nevertheless, appreciable progress has also been recorded with particular respect to staff training following the recruitment of 5, 394 teachers last year. We are currently concluding the process of adding another set of 4, 000 new teachers to further boost the quality of learning in our public schools. The addition of new teachers became imperative following the jump in enrolment by over 150% in the last academic session.

6. In addition to the extensive investments in formal education, we are also keen on supporting other channels of youth development. In the past 3 years, we have trained thousands of young people on critical ICT skills from software engineering and AI integration to Cybersecurity using platforms like the TechRise skills development initiative and similar programmes. In addition to training and skills acquisition, we have moved further to incentivise innovation by earmarking funds in excess of N300 million to support technology-driven enterprises across the State. Our overarching vision is to give the young dreamers every necessary support to thrive, compete and find fulfilment in a world where knowledge is the ultimate capital.

7. Still on youth development and empowerment for value creation, the administration has taken an active interest in sports development, from grassroots sports activities to international sporting exposure. We are investing in the sports ecosystem with the singular intent of expanding the platform for self-expression because sports, beyond its recreational value, has grown into a major economic stronghold, opening channels of generous earning by sports professionals, investors and millions of other stakeholder groups. The just-concluded Abia SOCCERFEST tournament which began in the 184 wards before the final showpiece in Umuahia a few days ago, attest to our conviction that sports represent an excellent vehicle for community mobilisation and exposure. In the last 3 years, we have institutionalised state-wide sports tournaments for students in secondary and tertiary institutions. The intent is to purposely direct the energy of our young people, pull them away from unhealthy recreational activities and give the extraordinarily talented ones the platform to begin their ascent in the world of professional sporting.

8. We declared an emergency on waste management minutes after we took the oath of office on this day in 2023. I am glad to report that within the intervening period; the tempo has remained as high. After the evacuation of 2, 997 truckloads of garbage in the first few weeks, we have since moved methodically to set up a structured system to guarantee round-the-clock effective waste management. In addition to the prompt evacuation of solid waste, the State environmental protection agency, ASEPA, has significantly raised the bar by developing appropriate mechanism for managing industrial and household effluents, inventorisation of dumpsites to track threats and other novel initiatives to keep the environment safe.

9. The transport sector is another front where the administration has effectively changed the old narrative. Our network of quality roads, the recently commissioned bus terminal in Umuahia, the electric buses that ply major inter and intra-city routes, the 70 bus shelters, lay-bys and similar infrastructure investments have not only improved the daily commute experience of tens of thousands of people, they have made our roads safer and raised the appeal of our urban centres. Through our development initiatives in the sector, thousands of jobs have been created as new investments arrive to meet demands arising from the shift in appetite. The most impressive development for us is that the turnaround in the road transport ecosystem has led to a significant reduction in the cost of regular commute, when compared to other places. Even then, we are not unmindful of the difficulties that confront many fixed income earners in their commute to work; we shall continue to make interventions in the hope that normalcy would return in a short time.

10. In the power sector, significant gains have also been recorded by the administration. Abia, I am glad to report, has continued to build on the gains of the larger reforms in the national power ecosystem. We are currently ramping up investments in the sector, from alternative to conventional energy resources, to systems and structures that drive investments, job creation and industrial growth. Our efforts have led to the restoration of electricity in several communities that were previously disconnected from the grid owing to vandalism or infrastructure inadequacy. In the next few months, scores of other communities would have their electricity supply challenges resolved. We are working round the clock to support the capacity of private sector players in the energy space to deliver improved value for household and industrial consumers. Recall that we had already made a major acquisition that is intended to improve supply frequency in the Umuahia ring-fenced district. I am convinced that before the end of the year, we shall reach significant milestones in that regard. It is, however, encouraging to observe that several manufacturers have since picked the signal. Quietly but optimistically, they are setting up plants in different parts of the State to take advantage of the progress we have made in the electricity market.

11. In the agricultural sector, we are moving away from the old fixation with subsistence farming to an enterprise-oriented, technology-driven model. Our approach is data-enabled. In the last 3 years, we have done a comprehensive mapping of our agricultural assets, built a robust-data base of farmers and developed a holistic framework that is transforming the outlook to agro-investing, financing and management of small-holder farmers. Expectedly, Abia has become an attractive investment destination for multinational corporations with significant sums already committed in the agro value chain. As I said a few days ago, the days of playing small are long gone; while we shall continue to support small holder farmers with inputs and training, we are more invested on how to make the most of our agro-assets to create jobs and achieve food security.

12. Umunne m ndi Abia, permit me to also report that a significant turnaround has been recorded in the management of our land assets. We have holistically digitised the lands documents management system to improve transparency and process integrity. The mapping of the State has also been recently concluded. The target is to improve precise spatial data records and reap the body of benefits associated thereto. Our Cs-of-O in 30 days policy has greatly improved the value of our real estate. In the area of housing development, I am happy to announce that we have concluded arrangements for the flag off of the Civil Service Commission Pocket Layout Estate in Umuahia. Projected to be delivered in the next 12 months, the estate would improve the supply of residential homes in Umuahia as well as draw in capital and skilled professionals to the city.

13. In addition to the development of physical infrastructure, the State has prioritised the welfare of civil servants and retirees in absolute fidelity to the promise made at the inauguration podium on this day 3 years ago that never again will our civil servants and retirees take to the streets to ask for their monthly entitlements. Through the introduction of a robust health insurance programme, the administration has made it easy for its workforce and their dependents to access affordable healthcare, including surgeries without worrying about the cost. Additionally, we have made training and retraining a regular feature in the civil service. May I reiterate that we acknowledge the economic difficulties that fixed income earners face amidst the strong headwinds from forces outside our direct control. As earlier indicated, we shall continue to evolve initiatives to mitigate the impact on our people. I am, however, pleased that today in Abia, every legitimate employee of the State Government gets their entitlements as and when due; the certainty has made it easier for households and businesses to plan.

14. The administration has successfully engineered a shift in the approach to women empowerment. Through special intervention programmes supervised by various ministries, departments and agencies, hundreds of women have been supported to set up business clusters and take advantage of economic support programmes of the State Government and its network of partners. The government remains particularly mindful of women and girls in its recruitments, appointments and targeted interventions in agriculture, ICT, small and medium enterprises development and household support initiatives. Just recently, the Office of the First Lady commissioned 35 units of residential buildings across the 17 local government areas for indigent mothers. Efforts have also been intensified to protect the girlchild from all forms of assault; the recent launch of the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre speaks to our commitment in this regard.

15. What has distinguished our administration, in addition to the modest gains in infrastructure development; is the way we respond to the weak and vulnerable in our midst. Considerations for persons with disabilities form a critical thrust of all government policy frameworks. Our free basic education programme and continuous investment in the sector are intended to offer children from economically-disadvantaged background the chance to fight for a better future through learning and skills development.

16. Security was a major challenge in the State 3 years ago, several communities were held hostage as kidnappers, armed robbers and an assortment of different criminal groups set camps in the forests from where they launch sporadic attacks on innocent Abians. The situation today is entirely different for the simple reason that we take the security of the people as our primary obligation as the Constitution envisaged. Through effective support to security agencies, we have been able to reassert control. We do not have a perfect situation yet but there is no ambiguity on the preparedness of the administration to do what it must to keep the peace and security of our State.

17. One novel initiative we have taken to improve security and peaceful co-existence is the integration of the stakeholder model to our governance framework. Deliberate steps have been taken to bring traditional rulers and other community leaders, persons of influence, heads of town unions, youth and women groups to the decision-making table, regularly engaging with them to build consensus on development priorities. We shall continue in this regard especially as we move closer to the peak of the electioneering campaigns. In our book, it is fine to disagree but we must reject every invitation to disorder and conflicts.

18. Part of the reasons we have made remarkable progress in the last 36 months is a firm commitment to fiscal responsibility. Our record of expenditure per capita on capital investments is about the highest in the country and still, we have managed to liquidate the stock of public debts by 60% from 2023 figures. We are ranked by independent observers as one of the leading states on fiscal sustainability, accountability and transparency. We shall continue to strengthen the fiscal responsibility outline and commit more resources to assets that yield long term social and economic benefits. As I have consistently maintained, there is so much to do with funds that we cannot spare a dime for frivolities.

19. Let me conclude on a note of profound gratitude to members of the State Executive Council, especially the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, for all the hard work and sacrifices of the last 3 years. The smiles on the faces of Ndi Abia, as we saw during the recent marathon of project commissioning exercise across the State, tell a thousand stories in faith and optimism for the future. At any rate, we must never lose sight of the fact that there is still so much to be done. Commendations are also due to members of the State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ihuoma Emeruwa, for being worthy representatives of the 24 state constituencies. May I also thank members of the State Judiciary ably led by the Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Lilian Abai, for their commitment to unbiased, fair and fearless interpretation of the provisions of our laws. I would also like to take a moment to extend profound appreciation to the leadership of the 17 local government councils, the councillors and everyone in a position of public authority in the State. Each arm and tier of government is clearly independent but it is also true that we are serving the same community of people. I am glad that in the New Abia, public service is underpinned by a certain sense of duty. It is my conviction that the new culture of accountability would continue to find generous expressions in our disposition and response to the needs of our people.

20. Let me on a final note, thank you, umunne m ndi Abia for your relentless support and enthusiasm. We do not take your goodwill for granted. As I said on the floor of the State House of Assembly in December 2023, the opportunity to serve our people at this time is the greatest privilege of our lives and we shall never forget the sacrifices that made it happen. In the same vein, permit me to remind us to remain diligent in the discharge of our civic obligations; pay your taxes as and when due, keep the environment clean and support the law enforcement agencies to protect our communities through the supply of useful and timely information. This is our State, let us build it together.

21. Thank you for listening and may God bless you.