Leadership is for service, not for wealth acquisition – Otti

Charges Churches to protect  good leadership

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia 

Governor Alex Otti (right), with His Eminence, Dr. Ekpenyong Akpaka, the Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Nigeria

Abia State Governor,  Dr. Alex Otti, says that leadership should be seen as a platform for rendering stewardship and service to the people; and should not be used to acquire wealth.

The Governor also advised people with contrary motive not to bother aspiring to lead.

Governor Otti expressed these views on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Umungasi Parish, Aba, during the 35th Anniversary celebration of the the Parish.

Addressing the congregation, the Governor said, “I listened attentively to his Eminence, and the major point he made today is that leadership is about service and the welfare of the people. A lot of times, we think it’s about the acquisition of wealth. 

“I have insisted, and I will continue to insist, that anybody who wants to lead must have something to put on the table and must be coming from somewhere. 

“You can’t give what don’t have. And, if you don’t have a job, then leadership is not where to look for a job. You need to go and get a job. Do your job and prepare yourself for leadership, so that you can actually do what the man of God had said: “Render service to your people.”

“In fact, I go further to say that leadership is about stewardship and once you don’t understand it, once your goals are different; you need to be looking somewhere else.”

The Governor further challenged the Church to protect good leadership whenever they see one, to avoid going back to Egypt. “I just want to challenge the Church that we cannot sit idly by because it is also possible for us to slip and go back to Egypt. It is possible. So, we need to rise up. It is not about me. 

“What happens after me? Have you asked the question? People are talking about 2027, that’s not the issue. The issue is that if you don’t protect what God has given you, the devil is very aggressive. But I know that it will not be our portion in Abia State,” he said.

“Anywhere that leadership has been gotten right, people protect it. And, what you gain is from glory to glory, like the Presbyterians say it. So, it is for us to ensure that we grow from glory to glory,” Governor Otti added.

He promised to look into the challenges the Church encountered with the previous administration on the allocation of lands for their schools to ensure that the right thing is done.

He thanked the Church for their continued support and for bringing his administration into existence, saying that “without you – the people of God, maybe we won’t be here today. You allowed God to use you, and you have always allowed God to use you. God’s time is always the best.”

Earlier in his sermon, His Eminence, Ekpenyong Akpanika, the Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, had said that Christianity was a call to service. He explained that God calls people to serve Him through kindness, testimonies , financial support to the Church, and those we are better than. 

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‎Dr. Akpanika noted that “What immortalizes a man is what he does for others,” adding that “greatness is not about possession but service to God and humanity.” 

He commended Governor Otti for being a good leader, evidenced in his service to the people of the state. 

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The Church thanked the Governor for coming to celebrate with them in their 35th anniversary and offered prayers for the Governor, his entourage, and the state. 

The Governor participated in cutting the anniversary cake.

Many government functionaries accompanied the Governor to the event.