Christmas: Otti preaches love, calls for peace, investments; promises security

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has enjoined Abians to show love to each other during this yuletide and use the opportunity of the 2023 Christmas celebration to entrench rural development and expand the state’s economic horizon.

In his Christmas message to the people of the state which he personally signed, Governor Otti charged Abians to celebrate responsibly and not to indulge in lifestyles that would harm their wellbeing.

In the message titled: “Living the True Spirit of Christmas,” the Governor said: “As we celebrate, we must imbibe the true spirit of Christmas, sharing the joy and blessings of the season with everyone around us. There is no better time to love and care for our friends and neighbours than now.

“As members of the New Abia family, we have a sacred duty to remember the less privileged amongst us, and others, who, due to no fault of life, may not have much for themselves and their families.”

He further charged the people to be very disciplined in their celebrations, saying “we are also encouraged to be very responsible and disciplined in all that we do. Reckless driving, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, consumption of hard drugs and illicit substances, and acts that may endanger our lives, health and wellbeing must be avoided.”

He noted that the 2023 Christmas season was very special and significant for Abians because in addition to marking the anniversary of Christ’s birth, the people have so much to be thankful for, especially with regard to achievements recorded by his administration in the last six months when he assumed office.

“We joyfully welcome our brothers and sisters who have travelled from far and near to celebrate with us and see for themselves, the great things God is doing in our land, especially in the areas of infrastructural development, improved urban sanitation and most importantly, the new sense of optimism amongst our people.” The Governor therefore called on stakeholders not only to ensure the peace reigns but further government’s development agenda at the grassroots by initiating development projects in their communities during this yuletide celebrations.

“I call for peace in all the communities. Traditional rulers, leaders of development and age-grade associations, women and youth groups are encouraged to come together in the spirit of Christmas to drive the process of reconciliation in places where there had been disputes as nothing can be achieved in an atmosphere of strife and social anxiety.

“At all times, we must bear in mind that maintaining the peace in our homes and communities is everyone’s responsibility but as stakeholders, we must be at the forefront.

“This is also a good time to initiate community development projects. It is gratifying to note that many influential community leaders have bought into our message of holistic development in every part of the state and would be launching several projects this Christmas to drive human capital development, expand community infrastructure and support the vulnerable.

“I congratulate every community that would be launching or commissioning one project or the other this Christmas. Let me also encourage all of us to always think of what we can do for our villages and clans all the time,” Otti said.

The Governor urged the elite in the state to fully participate in rural development to be able to attract investors to their local communities.

“While we shall continue to work as a government to make every part of the state attractive to domestic and foreign investors, we are reminded that much more can be achieved when the elite in the communities get involved, driving the development process according to the most pressing needs of the people,” the Abia Chief Executive said.

To build an Abia with a booming economy, the Governor made a clarion call to the people of the state to “think home.”

“For those who may wish to invest or expand their investments in any part of the state, this is the right time. The relevant government offices shall remain open to offer useful assistance when called upon.

“I am specially appealing to our brothers and sisters to think home. We are making all parts of the state an attractive investment destination by improving security, building public infrastructure, and developing the stock of human capital.

“Abia is our home and we must work collectively to build it into the great society we have always dreamt of,” he added.

As a state yearning for development and economic prosperity, Otti sounded it clear that security remained a priority for Abia, adding, “we have taken extraordinary measures to guarantee the safety of life and property in all parts of the state.

“All security formations in the state have been placed on high alert to respond promptly to distress calls. We have also expanded our intelligence gathering network to thwart any criminal operations before they are executed.

“We also encourage community leaders to work closely with the formal security agencies in setting up their independent security arrangements. My assurance, umu nne m, is that every part of the state is safe and secure.”

While wishing Abians a merry Christmas celebration on behalf of his family and Government of the State, the Governor noted that his being at the pilot’s seat of the state, was for him, a great honour and thanked the people for their unalloyed support.

“As I mentioned in my speech recently, serving this great state at this point in our history is the singular most significant honour of my life. I thank you for believing in us and for trusting that we shall be the team to turn things around. “We are grateful for your immense support since we came into office around the middle of the year. You have shown great understanding and patience, encouraging us with your goodwill and consistently pointing us to areas of improvement,” he said.

Governor Otti therefore vowed to run a people-centred government where everyone’s input would be needed, assuring that his administration was ready to make governance in the state a participatory exercise.

“On this Christmas morning,” Otti said, “we say thank you. May I also assure you that while we certainly cannot run a perfect administration, we shall continue to do our best to improve, to listen more to your needs and make sure that in every decision we take as a government, the input of the people must count,” he promised.