The traditional ruler of Okahia Kingdom in Obingwa local government area of Abia State and chairman, Obingwa Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze O. J. Ananaba (JP) has expressed optimism for a better Abia under the able leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR).
The handsome, eloquent, forthright, ebullient, amiable, quintessential and renowned Okahia 1 of Okahia Kingdom disclosed this in a chat with newsmen during the grand finale of the 32nd anniversary of Abia State held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
According to him, Abians have cause to rejoice because help is here at last in the person of Dr. Alex Otti who is determined to pull Abia State out of the woods.
He passed a damning verdict on the state since it was created 32 years ago stressing that Abia State has not lived up to expectations in all ramifications, especially since the return of civil rule to the nation in 1999.
He blamed the sorry state of affairs in Abia on her past leaders who he said mismanaged the state resources, appointed people who were unqualified and incompetent to occupy sensitive positions in the state thus leading to the collapse of every sector of the state.
However, he expressed optimism that Dr. Alex Otti is eminently qualified, competent and determined to change the narrative and set matters straight in the state for the betterment of all and sundry.
He commended him for hitting the ground running at hypersonic speed stressing that his sweeping reforms in the state civil service would not only restore sanity in that sector but also block all revenue leakages that made it possible for looting of the state’s resources over the years.
He noted that with the introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA) in place, looting of public funds would now be a thing of the past in the state.
He described the development as a bold step in the right direction adding that with the way Dr. Alex Otti is piloting the affairs of the state, especially in terms of prudent management of the state’s meagre resources, things are no longer going to be business as usual.
HRM Eze O. J. Ananaba pointed out that it is the desire of Abians to witness positive changes in the state and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck so as to realize a New Abia of their dream.
He pledged the support of every traditional ruler in the state and called on all Abians to join hands with Dr. Alex Otti in rebuilding Abia State.
