Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has declared that his administration is determined to dismantle what he described as a culture of glorifying thieves, fraudsters, drug barons, bandits and other individuals whose wealth and influence are built on questionable activities.
The governor said his government was working to restore values of integrity, accountability, hard work and genuine accomplishment by ensuring that individuals who make meaningful contributions to society receive the recognition they deserve.
Otti made the declaration at the 90th birthday celebration of Emeritus Professor Benson Oluikpe in Umuahia, where he stressed that society must return to celebrating people of honour and distinction rather than individuals whose lifestyles promote criminality and questionable sources of wealth.
“We want to depart from that inherited culture. It’s not our culture. Culture of celebrating thieves. Culture of celebrating 419-ers. Culture of celebrating drug barons. Culture of celebrating bandits. That’s not our culture. That’s not how we grew up,” the governor declared.
He maintained that the tendency to glorify individuals with questionable backgrounds had contributed to the erosion of societal values, warning that such a culture could send the wrong message to younger generations about the meaning of success and achievement.
According to him, his administration is deliberately promoting a different standard by recognising individuals whose lives and accomplishments provide positive examples for society.
The governor also criticised the practice of waiting until outstanding individuals die before celebrating their contributions, insisting that recognition should come while they are still alive to appreciate the honour.
He explained that celebrating achievers during their lifetime would not only acknowledge their sacrifices and contributions but also motivate younger people to pursue excellence, hard work and responsible living.
Otti cited the recent recognition of five Abia schoolchildren who emerged champions at an international competition in Qatar as an example of his administration’s commitment to promoting excellence.
He said the children’s achievement demonstrated the importance of creating a society where intelligence, talent, discipline and hard work are rewarded with public recognition.
The governor further stressed that accountability must become an essential part of family upbringing and public life, recalling an experience from his early career in banking that shaped his understanding of financial responsibility.
He recounted how, in 1989, while working at Citibank, his father questioned him over the source of the N100 he had sent home.
Otti explained that although he had legitimately earned the money through extra work and daily allowances, his father insisted on knowing precisely how he came about it.
He said the experience taught him that people must be prepared to account for what they possess, regardless of the amount involved.
“That’s how I was brought up. You needed to give account. But these days, people don’t ask questions. We need to go back to that time when we would ask questions. Ask your children questions. Let them give account,” he said.
Otti further illustrated the importance of financial discipline by recalling how his son provided receipts and explanations for money he had saved towards purchasing a house in the United States.
He said such practices reflected the values of transparency and accountability that parents must deliberately pass on to their children if society is to reverse the growing acceptance of unexplained wealth.
Earlier, the celebrant, Emeritus Professor Benson Oluikpe, expressed gratitude to the governor for the recognition and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon him.
“You have honoured me; may God honour you,” the nonagenarian said.
Oluikpe, while reflecting on his relationship with Otti, disclosed that he first met the governor in 2013 when he was still working as a banker. He described Otti as a humble man endowed with wisdom, noting that the impression he formed of him during their first encounter influenced his subsequent support for his political ambition.
Recounting an incident in which Otti stood up to return an award to him at a public function, the professor said the gesture demonstrated a level of humility that had remained consistent in the governor’s public life.
He also reflected on Otti’s unsuccessful electoral outing in 2015, describing the experience as a temporary delay rather than a denial of his political destiny.
According to him, the eventual emergence of Otti as governor reflected the importance of patience and divine timing.
“I do believe that God was telling you, ‘My son, wait. This is not your time. The time will come, and when that time comes, you will make a great impact in your state,’” Oluikpe said.
The professor, who described himself as someone who measures success by the impact made on humanity, urged political leaders and public office holders to embrace generosity and ensure that their wealth and positions translate into positive contributions to society.
“A life without impact on humanity is no life. The wealth we acquire without reaching or touching minds is useless,” he declared.
He also warned against sycophancy in public office, advising those around the governor to offer sincere counsel and constructive criticism instead of surrounding him with people who merely tell him what he wants to hear.
Responding to the professor’s remarks, Otti said their history reflected his understanding of the political developments that delayed his emergence as governor in 2015.
He recalled that although he had won the election, he was compelled to pursue his mandate through the courts before eventually reclaiming it at the Court of Appeal on December 31, 2015. The Supreme Court subsequently affirmed the decision on February 3, 2016.
The governor said the experience further strengthened his conviction that events unfold according to divine timing and that perseverance remains essential in the pursuit of worthy goals.
Otti also disclosed plans to honour another Abia-born professor and inventor based in the United States in December.
He described the individual as a globally recognised scientist whose invention helps in accurately targeting cancer cells, adding that the proposed recognition was part of a broader effort to identify and celebrate Abians making remarkable contributions across different fields.
The governor emphasised that the initiative would not be restricted by political affiliation, religious background or place of residence, stressing that every Abian who distinguishes himself or herself through meaningful achievements deserves recognition.
“Once you are from Abia and you are doing well, we will celebrate you,” Otti said.
He reaffirmed that his administration would continue to promote a culture in which integrity, excellence, accountability and positive contributions to humanity, rather than questionable wealth and influence, determine who society celebrates.
