By Kazie Uko
Expectedly, the red carpets, the drums, the trumpets, and all the other instruments of celebration have been rolled out. Likewise, the air waves, the newspaper pages, and the social media platforms are saturated with all kinds of goodwill messages. Visitors – family, friends, foes, favour finders, political loyalists and associates – are beseiging the sleepy Umuehim, Nvosi community of Isialangwa South, which has, incidentally, become the seat of government. Not even the plea, as he is wont, by the Man of the Moment, for the resolute crowd of enthusiasts to hold their peace and channel their resources to a more judicious public good, would dissuade them. If you are still wondering what this is all about, it is February 18, the 60th birthday anniversary of the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR.
Governor Otti deserves all the accolades and encomiums being heaped on him today for many reasons other than just being the Governor of Abia State. For one, he is hailed by majority of Abia people as a hero, liberator and jinx breaker. Created August 27, 1991, by the Nigerian military government, led by General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.), out of the old Imo State, Abia lost its initial spark for genuine and enduring development after the administration of its first civilian Governor, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, now late, was scuttled. The State thereafter gradually descended into the ranks of failed states in Nigeria, where the system became broken and economic hardship, social disorder and political brigandage reigned. This was despite the huge potential that God had endowed the State with. The advent of civilian democracy in 1999 raised a positive expectation that things were going to turn around for good for Abia, but this soon became an illusion, and for 24 years Abians wallowed in misery, gnashed their teeth and yearned for a redeemer as the citizens languished under the heavy yoke of marauders who had hijacked political offices and imposed themselves as leaders.