Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerian political leaders to emulate the leadership style of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.
Jonathan’s message was delivered by his representative, Dr. Godknows Igali, at a reunion and award dinner organized in Umuahia by alumni of the University of Port Harcourt from the 1980s.
Themed around celebrating service and excellence, the event gathered distinguished alumni — including Governor Otti — to honor the achievements of their peers.
Jonathan commended Otti’s leadership, describing it as purposeful and development-focused. He highlighted the transformation in Abia, particularly Aba, where visible improvements have enhanced the state’s image and boosted the appeal of locally made goods.
Igali, who also chaired the event, praised the alumni’s collective impact on national development, noting that the University of Port Harcourt has produced several influential leaders, including six state governors and a former president.
Just a day earlier, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had also lauded Governor Otti during the commissioning of a major road project, citing Abia’s progress as evidence of what effective governance can achieve.
In his remarks, Otti thanked the alumni for choosing Umuahia as the venue, marking their first reunion there in over a decade. He encouraged his former classmates to reunite more frequently and to actively engage in politics, which he said offers broader opportunities to make lasting change compared to the private sector.
Governor Otti also shared updates on his administration’s ongoing efforts, including the reconstruction of hundreds of schools and health centers. He revealed that 20% of the state budget is allocated to education and 15% to health, underscoring a commitment to human development.
Guests were given a brief tour of ongoing projects, with many expressing satisfaction at the pace and quality of development in the state.
UNIPORT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, also applauded Otti’s achievements, particularly in infrastructure, power supply, and sanitation. He acknowledged the governor’s support to the university, including the construction of a new Social Sciences faculty building, and called on alumni to contribute more toward resolving challenges such as student and staff accommodation.
The evening also included heartfelt tributes to a late classmate, Mr. Eze Alomefuna, whose passing had inspired the formation of the alumni group.
