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Otti: We’ll Stop Celebrating Thieves, 419ers, Drug Barons in Abia
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has declared that his administration is determined to end what he described as a culture of celebrating thieves, fraudsters, drug barons and other individuals of questionable character, insisting that public recognition should be reserved for people with integrity and outstanding achievements.
Otti made the declaration during the 90th birthday celebration of Emeritus Professor Benson Oluikpe in Umuahia, where he said his government was institutionalising the celebration of excellence to inspire younger generations to pursue worthy accomplishments.
“We want to depart from that inherited culture. It’s not our culture. Culture of celebrating thieves. Culture of celebrating 419-ers. Culture of celebrating drug barons. Culture of celebrating bandits. That’s not our culture. That’s not how we grew up,” the governor said.
He criticised the practice of waiting until accomplished individuals die before celebrating their contributions, stressing that deserving people should be honoured while they are still alive to enjoy the recognition.
According to him, celebrating people who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields would encourage younger generations to pursue excellence and make meaningful contributions to society.
Otti cited the recent recognition of five Abia schoolchildren who emerged champions at an international competition in Qatar, saying his administration was determined to promote genuine achievements rather than questionable wealth and influence.
The governor also recounted a personal experience to underscore the importance of accountability and integrity, recalling how his father questioned him in 1989 about the source of the N100 he sent home while working at Citibank.
He explained that the money came from extra work and daily allowances, but his father insisted that he account for how he legitimately earned it.
“That’s how I was brought up. You needed to give account. But these days, people don’t ask questions. We need to go back to that time when we would ask questions. Ask your children questions. Let them give account,” he said.
Otti maintained that societal values, rather than the times, had changed, adding that his son recently provided receipts and explanations for money he had saved towards purchasing a house in the United States.
Earlier, the celebrant, Professor Oluikpe, expressed gratitude to the governor for the honour and prayed for God’s blessings upon him.
“You have honoured me; may God honour you,” the nonagenarian said.
The professor, who disclosed that he first met Otti in 2013 when the governor was still a banker, described him as a humble individual endowed with wisdom.
He said the impression he formed of Otti during their first encounter influenced his subsequent decision to support his political ambition.
Recounting how Otti once stood up to return an award to him at a public function, Oluikpe said the gesture reflected a humility that had remained consistent in the governor’s public life.
He also described Otti’s electoral setback in 2015 as a divine postponement of his political opportunity, expressing the belief that events had eventually vindicated him.
“I do believe that God was telling you, ‘My son, wait. This is not your time. The time will come, and when that time comes, you will make a great impact in your state,’” he said.
Oluikpe, who said he measured life by its impact on humanity, urged public office holders to embrace generosity and deploy their resources towards improving the lives of others.
“A life without impact on humanity is no life. The wealth we acquire without reaching or touching minds is useless,” he said.
He also cautioned against sycophancy in public service, urging the governor’s supporters to offer constructive criticism and tell him the truth rather than engage in flattery.
Responding to the professor’s recollection of their first meeting, Otti said the account reflected his own understanding of the political developments that delayed his emergence as governor in 2015.
He recalled that although he won the election, he had to pursue his mandate through the courts, eventually reclaiming it at the Court of Appeal on December 31, 2015, before the Supreme Court affirmed it on February 3, 2016.
The governor said the experience strengthened his conviction that God’s timing was always the best.
Otti further disclosed plans to celebrate another Abia-born professor and inventor based in the United States in December.
He described the individual as a globally recognised scientist whose invention helps accurately target cancer cells.
The governor said the recognition of outstanding Abians would remain open to everyone, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or place of residence.
“Once you are from Abia and you are doing well, we will celebrate you,” he said.
