By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The Governor of Abia State, Alex Chioma Otti, has concluded the 2026 First Quarter Executive Council Retreat with a strong call on government officials to translate knowledge into concrete results, warning that learning without execution offers no real advantage.
Speaking at the closing session of the retreat held on March 1 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, the governor emphasised that effective governance requires continuous learning, strategic planning and disciplined implementation of policies and programmes.
Otti said excellence in preparation is only the starting point for meaningful impact, noting that building a lasting legacy requires constant evaluation of processes, awareness of emerging challenges and the ability to adapt to changing realities.
“We have raised the bar on governance because we refused to approach this responsibility with the ‘I have arrived’ mentality that is common in many public institutions,” the governor said.
According to him, the responsibilities of public officials in the state are as significant as those shaping innovations in the global economy, stressing that complacency could reverse the progress already recorded by the administration.
“Our results speak for themselves, but if we stop asking difficult questions of ourselves, everything could slide back to where it was before we came into office,” he said.
The governor urged members of the executive council and other senior officials to remain committed to delivering sustainable development outcomes for the people of the state.
He explained that beyond infrastructure, the true legacy of the administration would be measured by how well it prepares the next generation for future opportunities.
“Our legacy will rest not only on physical projects but on how we prepare our children for tomorrow and the hope we inspire in parents that their children will inherit a better future,” Otti added.
The governor noted that the administration had prioritised education and healthcare from the outset because of their central role in human development and economic growth.
While acknowledging progress recorded in both sectors, he said the government’s expectations remained higher and urged ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to intensify efforts toward achieving set targets.
To strengthen coordination across government, Otti directed all heads of MDAs to institute monthly performance review meetings involving political appointees and key directors.
The meetings, he said, would enable officials to present progress reports on ongoing projects, identify challenges and outline projections for the coming month.
He added that minutes and resolutions from the meetings must be submitted to his office, warning that non-compliance would attract sanctions.
The governor also reiterated the administration’s commitment to delivering key projects captured in the 2026 fiscal plan, including the establishment of five smart schools, expansion of strategic secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities, and major investments in transport, power, water supply and agriculture.
He warned that the government would not hesitate to intervene directly in projects where responsible MDAs fail to meet their obligations.
On revenue generation, Otti called for innovative strategies to boost internally generated revenue in the face of uncertain external revenue projections.
He urged officials to identify leakages in the system and explore new opportunities in sectors such as real estate, solid minerals, hospitality and information and communications technology (ICT).
Earlier in his remarks, the governor described the retreat as a valuable platform for reflection, learning and collaboration among government officials.
He expressed appreciation to the retreat organising committee and partners, including PricewaterhouseCoopers, for supporting the programme.
Otti also commended the contributions of external resource persons, including Tony Muhumuza of the United Nations Development Programme and Alero Ayida-Otobo, Chief Executive Officer of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, for providing insights that enriched discussions during the retreat.
The governor concluded by reminding participants that public service demands sacrifice and dedication.
“We are on a destiny assignment, not a casual stroll through public office,” he said, urging officials to remain focused on delivering meaningful development outcomes for the people of Abia State.
