Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged political leaders in Nigeria to adopt the kind of leadership style being practiced in Abia State under Governor Alex Otti.
Jonathan’s remarks were delivered through his representative, Dr. Godknows Igali, during a reunion and award dinner held in Umuahia by the University of Port Harcourt alumni from the 1980s.
The event, themed around celebrating service and excellence, brought together notable alumni, including Otti himself.
Jonathan pointed out that Otti’s actions as governor reflect clear planning and a drive for real development.
He noted that Abia, especially Aba, has undergone remarkable changes under Otti’s administration, improving its image and making locally made products more desirable.
Igali, who also served as the chairman of the gathering, noted the alumni’s contributions to national progress.
He mentioned that the University of Port Harcourt has produced a number of influential figures in politics, including six governors and a former president.
Just a day before, former President Olusegun Obasanjo also praised Governor Otti while inaugurating a major road project in the state.
Obasanjo had said the development in Abia was an example of how positive transformation is possible.
Otti, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for hosting the alumni in Umuahia twelve years after their first meeting in Port Harcourt.
He urged his former schoolmates not to wait that long again to meet and encouraged them to get involved in politics.
According to him, politics allows for wider impact on society compared to the corporate sector.
He also mentioned that his administration is currently working on rebuilding hundreds of schools and health centres across the state.
He explained that his government has set aside 20% of the budget for education and 15% for health, to ensure better services for the people.
During the event, attendees were taken on a brief tour of some of the projects underway.
Many of them expressed satisfaction with the level of development achieved so far in the state.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, praised Otti’s work, including efforts in infrastructure, power, and waste management.
He also mentioned the governor’s support for the university, such as the construction of the Social Sciences faculty, and called for more help from alumni to solve challenges like student and staff accommodation.
The event also featured tributes to a former classmate, Mr. Eze Alomefuna, whose death inspired the formation of the reunion group.
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