“Leading this industrial revolution is not a new challenge for the man who tripled defunct Diamond bank fortune, increased the welfare of its workers and coordinated activities of entire 265 branches worldwide but an opportunity for investors, business owners in Lagos and anywhere else whom it has become necessary to consider expansion because a man who understand how the economy operate is now the new governor of Abia State.” – Njoku Jerry A
In the heat of the PDP Obingwa manipulated heist to rob entire people of Abia State a golden future, I was bombarded with calls from overseas and Lagos by friends and concerned well wishers of LP, Alex Otti candidacy, saying; “this is our only viable hope at the moment, please do not let this slip.” On a personal note, I was as apprehensive as any ‘Returnee hopefuls’
By ‘Returnee hopeful’ it simply means those in the Diaspora including Lagos who are completely fed up of the recurring xenophobic threats from all corners of the world, from South Africa, Ghana and now in their own country and in the city they call home, Lagos.
Business men, artisans, traders who constitute the SMEs that bankroll Lagos megacity socio-economic status, from the financial institutions, manufacturing and Tech had picked LP’s Alex Otti as the man with the capacity to make the dream of south east industrial revolution come true therefore our concerns was not only justifiable but Germaine based on the documented history and antecedents of the man that once led Diamond Bank to its enviable height.
In the days of Diamond Bank, Alex Otti as the CEO had spearheaded the expansion of the defunct financial institution by doubling the full staff count from around 2,000 to over 4,000 within 3 years. Alex Otti took leave of Diamond bank when the ovation was loudest and in the same year he decided to step into the muddy waters of Abia State politics.
As CEO of the global financial institution and head of all CEO’s of 21 Financial Institutions in Nigeria at the time of his departure, it would be justifiable to allude that he did not jump into Abia state politics for the money but for the fate of the dwindling and waning economy of the once famed south east industrial capital he calls home.
By 2014, there was virtually no visible industry still existing in entire Abia state, even the famous Golden Guinea Breweries was no longer in operations. In his hometown of Arochukwu, an entire LGA and its residents were completely abandoned by successive government, perhaps, deliberately to shut out and punish innocent citizens whom have seen a golden future in Alex Otti’s candidacy. By this time, the only bank in operations in entire Arochukwu town, First Bank, was brought in by Alex Otti’s influence.
Almost every part of Abia state is full of ripe opportunities for wealth creation that should make every person of south east origin who felt threatened by politically hyped xenophobic threats in Lagos to take advantage of the coming of the new Sherrif of Abia state and relocate now the opportunity exists.
In the days of Alex Otti at the Banks, he had not only improved the welfare of workers, he had vigorously grown the bank’s footprints from a network of 210 branches to over 265 branches three years later.
This is the man who had taken the gauntlet to rescue his own homeland from the hands of hawks and vultures parading as political office holders but was vehemently resisted by every means of debauchery, blackmailed and haunted by every kinds of manipulation known to idiots since 2015 till 18th March 2023, the jinks was broken, and the Siege over, to liberate Abia state from over 20 years hostage by political office holders with extremely low and poor leadership antecedents.
Alex Otti’s victory over the darkness that has enveloped Abia over the years was heralded by unimaginable shouts of joy across the state and to justify our expectations and confirm the convictions of Abians that the siege is over with the 22nd March declaration of victory, among the first move of industrialists to identify with the LP, Alex Otti victory was prominent Yoruba business man named Babatunde Gbadamosi, whom in his twitter handle had stated; “I’m quickly going to buy industrial land in or near Aba before it becomes scarce.”
By 23rd March, the barrage of calls had resumed, this time with excitement and hope for a golden future the candidacy of LP Alex Otti had promised. As I write, 3 prominent Diasporas Nigerians I know have indicated interest to purchase land for industrial site anywhere in Abia state and they want it done quickly, a certain global financial institution has indicated interest and willingness to provide funds to the new Abia state government, foreign partners have called to be provided lands for investments in real estates, sports and manufacturing. Most of them never, ever met Alex Otti in person other than the sermon we preached on the administrative acumen, competence in fiscal management and capacity of the new Abia State leader to take the challenge of turning stone into bread and making water flow in the desert.
“The Table land of Isiala Ngwa South has been captioned in the proposed Nsulu Games Village and Entertainment Industry, 80% of the collapsed factories in Umuahia and Aba has all been captioned for complete rehabilitation. Ohafia, the 3rd largest rural-urban town in Abia state has been captured for Industrial farming and agro-processing, the capital city of Umuahia has been captured for an englarged housing estates and multi-purpose infrastructure, Ukwa East & West Oil producing communities will host infrastructure for the oil and ceramic industries.
There is a plan to digitalise revenue collection to curtail wastes and fraud and save business owners the trauma of extortion by unscrupulous elements.”
Good enough, Abia state has no desert neither is there any stone to be turned to bread but opportunities at every region that has been abandoned by successive governments for over 2 decades of experimental political leadership and ignorance on how the economy operates, a simple economic principles of wealth creation, social welfare and sustenance.
During the campaign tour, it was amazing to see that Abia is still a virgin land with vast untapped economic opportunities. The entire Ngwa Land comprising of Isiala Ngwa South and North extending to Obingwa LGA are all fertile table land less than 3 kilometers to the industrial city of Aba, neglected for decades.
Driving towards Osisioma coming from Umuahia on both sides of the highway are abandoned factory warehouses of former industries abandoned due to inactivity then taking a drive into the city of Aba, you will notice heavy commercial activity that rivals Lagos, taking place with imported textile goods, leather goods and sundry items being trans-shipped from Aba into nearby states even as far as Northern region and West African neighboring countries.
Ohafia LGA is another vast land of evergreen forests and palm trees, seas and rivers of fresh water animals bounded by white sand, untouched. Ohafia is bounded by Arochukwu leading to Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State with trade route that spans even through the seas. Ukwa East LGA is another region with vast potential of industry for ceramics, oil, and gas related business but completely neglected for years.
Almost every part of Abia state is full of ripe opportunities for wealth creation that should make every person of south east origin who felt threatened by politically hyped xenophobic threats in Lagos to take advantage of the coming of the new Sherrif of Abia state and relocate now the opportunity exists.
As a man who understands the principles of wealth creation and economic cycle, Alex Otti has reiterated his position on paying every civil servant in the state including pensioners, some whom have been owed up to 42 months salaries before the end of the year 2023.
The city of Aba has been earmarked for special attention including creating a separate ministry to undertake the business and total revamp of the municipal.
The Table land of Isiala Ngwa South has been captioned in the proposed Nsulu Games Village and Entertainment Industry, 80% of the collapsed factories in Umuahia and Aba has all been captioned for complete rehabilitation. Ohafia, the 3rd largest rural-urban town in Abia state has been captured for Industrial farming and agro-processing, the capital city of Umuahia has been captured for an englarged housing estates and multi-purpose infrastructure, Ukwa East & West Oil producing communities will host infrastructure for the oil and ceramic industries.
There is a plan to digitalise revenue collection to curtail wastes and fraud and save business owners the trauma of extortion by unscrupulous elements.
Leading this industrial revolution is not a new challenge for the man who tripled defunct Diamond bank fortune, increased the welfare of its workers and coordinated activities of entire 265 branches worldwide but an opportunity for investors, business owners in Lagos and anywhere else whom it has become necessary to consider expansion because a man who understand how the economy operate is now the new governor of Abia State.
Congratulations to Abians
Njoku SaintJerry A. is the Abia State Publicity Secretary of Labour Party
