Abia State Governor Alex Otti has commended the national leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, led by Senator John Azuta-Mbata as President-General (PG), for providing “purposeful leadership” to the Igbo race.

Governor Otti spoke during a visit by the PG-led delegation to his Nwosi country home in Isiala Ngwa South Local Council, which was led by the Abia-born National Deputy President-General (DPG), Prince Okey Nwadinobi.

Otti said he supported Senator Mbata’s emergence as PG because of his capacity and integrity.
“Why Senator Azuta-Mbata got our support was because we knew who he was, knew he had the capacity to do the job. One year later, we have not been disappointed,” he said, urging DPG Nwadinobi to convey the message that Ndigbo recognize and appreciate the work of PG Mbata and his team.

The governor assured that he noted the issues raised by the delegation and would consider areas where the state government could collaborate with the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, while pledging continued support.

Speaking earlier, Prince Nwadinobi acknowledged Governor Otti’s role in Senator Mbata’s emergence as PG and outlined upcoming programs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. These include the establishment of a seven-professorial-chair committee aimed at preserving the Igbo language.

He also called on other Southeast governors to create a conducive environment for young Igbo entrepreneurs to return home, invest, and contribute to the region’s development.

Praising Governor Otti’s administration, Nwadinobi said:
“The governor has restored the dignity of the Abia people. His policies and projects in education, health, and road infrastructure are unprecedented. Almost every community now has a health centre, and the progress in roads to Ohafia and Aba is visible everywhere.”

In a related development, the refurbished Abia State Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretariat in Umuahia, the state capital, was formally commissioned on Wednesday by PG Azuta-Mbata, represented by the National Vice President, Engineer John Duru. He said the Secretariat would facilitate the activities of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state.

During the commissioning at 62 Macaulay Street, Umuahia, the State President, Dr Chinyere Okwuonu, said that upon the inauguration of his executive in January 2025, they inherited no functional state or local structures.
“We have since established all 17 Local Government Executives, formally inaugurating 14 of them. We have also set up the Ohanaeze Council of Ndieze (Traditional Rulers), and the State General Assembly is near completion,” he said.

Dr Okwuonu expressed satisfaction with PG Mbata’s visit, which coincided with the completion of the refurbished and fully furnished Secretariat, including a full complement of staff under the payroll of the State Ohanaeze Ndigbo.