ABIA @ 35: EZE-ELECT DR ONYEMA HAILS OTTI’S TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

ABIA @ 35: EZE-ELECT DR ONYEMA HAILS OTTI’S TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, SAYS ABIA IS FINALLY SEEING THE LIGHT

Pledges peace, security and unity; backs women’s N20m lock-up shops project

The Eze-elect of Umuhu Autonomous Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Dr. John Nwachukwu Onyema, has described the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti as a turning point in the history of the state, saying the transformation witnessed across Abia in the past three years has given residents renewed hope and confidence in the future.

Dr. Onyema, a renowned medical practitioner with more than four decades of professional experience, said the changes under Governor Otti were too visible to be ignored, irrespective of political affiliation.

According to him, the difference in Abia today is evident in road infrastructure, security, transportation, business activities and the general outlook of the state.

He said anybody who had been resident in Abia State over the past 24 years would know that the narrative had changed, adding that, regardless of whether people liked Governor Otti or not, the difference was very clear and the developments on ground had given residents cause for joy.

The Eze-elect spoke during an encounter with newsmen at his palace, during the 2026 August Conference of the Amaogwugwu Federated Union Women Wing, where he also unfolded his vision for the community, particularly his determination to enthrone peace, strengthen security, promote unity and encourage development.

A native of Amaogwugwu in Umuhu Autonomous Community, Dr. Onyema comes from a family with a strong traditional leadership pedigree.

He disclosed that his grandfather and his father’s brother were traditional rulers, a background he said had given him a deep understanding of the responsibilities attached to traditional leadership.

He attended Methodist College, Uzuakoli, before proceeding to the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, where he studied medicine.

Thereafter, he worked in different parts of Nigeria, including Plateau State, Lagos, Isuikwuato and Umuahia, before travelling abroad.

While in Nigeria, he practiced family medicine, but after relocating overseas, he specialized in adult medical practice.

He subsequently spent more than 40 years in the medical profession before retiring about two or three years ago.

Now awaiting his emergence as the traditional ruler of Umuhu Autonomous Community, Dr. Onyema said his primary objective would be to restore and sustain peace in the community.

He stressed that there could be no meaningful progress without peace, while calling for respect, honesty, mutual understanding and the fear of God among members of the community.

According to him, these values constitute the foundation upon which meaningful development could be built.

Security, he added, would also receive special attention under his leadership.

He said security was another important issue and his major focus at the moment, adding that, if he ascended the throne by the grace of God, the community would have to be well secured.

As part of his security vision, the Eze-elect disclosed plans to deploy modern technology, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, at strategic locations within the community.

He explained that CCTV cameras would be mounted in the community, but added that the safety of the locations selected for their installation would first have to be ensured.

For Dr. Onyema, however, security is not merely about installing surveillance equipment. It is also about building trust, encouraging responsible citizenship and creating an atmosphere where residents can go about their legitimate activities without fear.

He believes that a peaceful and secure Umuhu would be better positioned to attract development, protect investments and create opportunities for the younger generation.

On the 35th anniversary of the creation of Abia State, the Eze-elect offered an unambiguous assessment of the state’s current trajectory, crediting Governor Otti’s administration with what he described as a remarkable change in the fortunes and physical appearance of the state.

He said the significance of the anniversary should go beyond merely counting the years since the creation of Abia, arguing that the occasion also provides an opportunity to reflect on the positive changes taking place across the state.

Dr. Onyema said he did not think the celebration was taking place simply because of the 35th anniversary, but because, in his assessment, the yoke had been broken and the state had finally been liberated.

He identified the improvement in road infrastructure as one of the most visible manifestations of the transformation taking place across the state.

He said anyone travelling to different parts of the state would notice that many roads were now motorable, citing the reconstruction and rehabilitation of major roads as evidence of the administration’s renewed commitment to infrastructure development.

He specifically mentioned the Umuahia-Bende-Uzuakoli-Akara-Abiriba-Ohafia axis, Ossah Road in Umuahia, now known as Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard, and the Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal, among other projects.

He said the projects had not only improved mobility but had also enhanced economic activities and given residents a renewed sense of belonging.

Although the major road in their community had not yet been reconstructed, he said they remained hopeful that Governor Otti would fulfil his promise to them, expressing optimism that Umuhu would also benefit from the administration’s development agenda.

Beyond infrastructure, Dr. Onyema commended the Otti administration for what he described as improvements in security, transportation and the business environment.

He said Abia was now widely regarded as one of the safest states in Nigeria, adding that the improvement in security had begun to translate into increased economic activity.

According to him, the high occupancy of hotels in Umuahia during the last December period was a clear indication that people were becoming more confident about travelling to and doing business in the state.

He said that hotels in Umuahia had been fully booked the previous December, which, in his view, signalled a tremendous improvement in security and business activities.

He also praised the administration for sanitizing the transport sector and introducing the Abia Green Bus Shuttle, which he described as another indication that the state was gradually being repositioned.

He commended Governor Otti for introducing the Abia Green Bus Shuttle, adding that it appeared the state was beginning to see the light.

While acknowledging that there was still much work to be done, the Eze-elect maintained that the direction of the state under Governor Otti was encouraging.

He summed up his assessment with the Igbo saying, “Eto dike na nke o mere eme, ome kwa ozo,” which, according to him, means that the courage and worth of a warrior are demonstrated by his deeds and that, having accomplished one feat, he goes on to accomplish another.

For him, the saying aptly captures the expectation that the present administration should consolidate its achievements and continue with more developmental projects.

Turning to the 2026 August Conference of the Amaogwugwu Federated Union Women Wing, Dr. Onyema expressed delight and pride in the contributions of the women to the growth of the community.

He described the women as the bedrock of every family and society, stressing that whenever they came together for a common purpose, they contributed significantly to the development of their community and society at large.

He assured the women of his unalloyed support, saying their efforts at promoting development and improving the welfare of their members would receive encouragement from his leadership.

He said they were solidly behind the women in whatever good things they were doing in the community and promised that they would receive 100 per cent support.

The Eze-elect particularly welcomed the women’s proposed N20 million lock-up shops project, describing it as a laudable initiative capable of strengthening economic empowerment among women and contributing to the development of the community.

He described the project as a welcome development and promised that they would assist the women in realizing it.

As the women celebrate their August Conference, Dr. Onyema urged them to remain united, focused and committed to the advancement of their families and community.

He described women as home builders and praised their critical role in maintaining harmony within families and society.

He also urged them to continue to support and look after their husbands, stressing that the happiness of members of a family contributes significantly to peace and progress in the home and community.

With his emphasis on peace, security, unity, development and the empowerment of women, the Eze-elect appears poised to bring his wealth of experience, exposure and traditional leadership heritage to bear on the affairs of the Umuhu Autonomous Community.

For Dr. Onyema, the task ahead is clear: to build bridges, unite the people, protect the community and create an environment where development can thrive.

And as Abia celebrates 35 years of statehood, he believes the renewed transformation under Governor Otti offers the people a compelling reason to look into the future with optimism.