Our people are not asking for too much. What they need can easily be provided by any rational human being in a position of authority. They simply desire an honest and sincere Governor who can guarantee stable and affordable electricity, low-cost housing, affordable food, industrial and agricultural villages, a reliable database of human and material resources, improved healthcare services, functional and technical education (not merely certificate-oriented education), law and order, and a living wage for all.
The primary objective of government is to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens, as clearly stated in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, is simply fulfilling this constitutional obligation with the launch of the Senior Citizens Welfare Scheme, aimed at improving the living conditions of elderly residents of Abia State aged 60 years and above. This welfare initiative is designed to provide financial relief, healthcare support, and social inclusion, especially for senior citizens without steady income or pension benefits.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive a monthly social support allowance intended to cover:
Basic food needs,
Transportation,
Minor household expenses.
Payments are made through transparent and verifiable channels to prevent diversion, manipulation, or favoritism. Traditional rulers, town unions, and local verification committees assist in confirming:
Age
Residency
Identity.
In addition, digital records are created to prevent duplication and fraud.
However, this welfare package is only the beginning of what the Good Governance Ministry (GGM) expects from Governor Alex Otti.A database for all underemployed and unemployed young people in Abia State should be developed immediately.
Our people have suffered greatly; their human dignity has been battered over the years. Many no longer expect anything from government and have resorted to personal struggle, family support, and communal survival. Confidence in governance had been completely eroded—until the emergence of Alex Otti.
Before his administration, public infrastructure such as roads, water supply, electricity, waste management systems, public schools, hospitals, and social welfare structures had virtually collapsed. It takes a first-class mind to know where to begin. Within his first 24 months in office, Governor Otti made a significant impact, winning the hearts of Abians through visible and purposeful governance.
Nevertheless, this article serves as a gentle reminder that the Governor is on a divine assignment and must not be distracted by the euphoria of early successes. His focus must remain firmly on building strong, enduring public institutions.
First, the Governor should work closely with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to establish a comprehensive and representative demographic database for Enyimba State.
Human resources are the most valuable assets God has bestowed upon society, and Aba youths can perform wonders when properly motivated and inspired by purposeful leadership.
Even citizens within the 60–70 age bracket can remain productive if properly organized within well-structured agricultural estates and senior citizens’ cooperatives. As an economist and seasoned financial manager, Governor Alex Otti can harness the experience of senior citizens to mentor younger generations within food production estates.
According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, food is the most basic human necessity. Therefore, in building a sustainable system, Abia State must fully deploy its abundant human resources for mechanized food production, supported by a well-organized and profitable agricultural value chain. The synergy between the elderly and the youth can make this vision achievable.
Western education must give way to functional, problem-solving education that addresses local realities. Certificate accumulation without skills has failed the society.
Governor Alex Otti must therefore de-emphasize certificate-driven education and promote technical and vocational skills capable of developing and sustaining the new Abia State and beyond.
As the Governor constructs roads and bridges, he must simultaneously develop a highly motivated, skilled workforce that will power public institutions. Senior citizens with knowledge and experience should be encouraged to transfer their skills to the next generation through structured mentorship programs.
Government has the unique capacity to organize the factors of production—land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship—to achieve optimal social welfare. Governor Alex Otti has started well. History now calls on him to institutionalize progress and build a legacy that will outlive his tenure.
Ndubuisi Anaenugwu
Ambassador-General, Good Governance Ministry (GGM)
