Governor Alex Otti, with the new GOC, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-General O.T.Olatoye, during the visit
“Our plans, programmes will fail without security “– Otti …Welcomes new GOC, 82 Division
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has explained why his administration accords priority to security, saying that without security, every other plan and programme of government would fail.
Governor Otti stated this on Friday, February 28, 2025, when he welcomed the new General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General O.T. Olatoye, who was in the State for official and familiarization visit to security formations under his jurisdiction.
“For us in Abia, we believe that security is everything. Yes, we are prioritizing infrastructure, healthcare delivery, education, environmental sanitation, digital economy and so on. Those are important. But, on top of all these is security because if you don’t have a secured environment, every other thing will fail. So, we pay so much attention to security.
“We want to have our people sleep, even if we don’t have to sleep but our people will have to sleep with their two eyes closed. So those are the priorities of this Government, and I know that my colleagues in the other parts of the South East have the same priority”, Governor Otti told his special guest.
The Governor noted Major Gen. Olatoye has his job cut out for him because he was succeeding somebody who did well, which he added, has both positive and negative sides: “positive, because there is a track record to build on; negative because of the big challenge,” the Abia Governor said.
He told him that he was very happy to receive him, having been highly recommended by his predecessor. Assuring the new GOC of his maximum support to enable him to succeed and improve on the good works of his predecessor, Dr. Otti said “any where we can be of help, I’m just a phone call away.”
The Governor thanked the immediate past GOC, 82 Division of Nigeria Army Enugu, Major Gen. H.T. Dada, for his efforts in helping to maintain peace and order in Abia and other parts of South East.
Earlier in his address to the Governor, Major General O.T. Olatoye conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, to Governor Otti for his support to the security agencies in the State, especially the military, which has continued to enhance the discharge of their functions of securing and keeping the state safe.
He assured the Governor that he would do his best to sustain and upscale the existing peace and security in Abia State and other areas under his sphere of responsibility.
“I have come to assure you that my job is to upscale the existing peaceful environment so that we can have an improved social economy in the state,” Maj. Gen. Olatoye assured.
In his vote of thanks, the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier-General Hassan Mohammed Bello, thanked Governor Otti for his support and for receiving them on a very short notice, even when they thought it wouldn’t be possible.
