Gov. Alex Otti Declares 2nd Quarter Retreat Open, Reaffirms Zero Tolerance for Mediocrity
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has officially declared open the Second Quarter Strategy Retreat for members of the State Executive Council and appointees of his administration, urging them to intensify efforts in delivering the promises of his government as they approach the second half of his first term.
The retreat, held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, carried the theme “Sustaining the Momentum: Leadership and Execution” and marks a critical period of self-assessment and strategic planning aimed at fast-tracking development and strengthening governance.
In his opening remarks, Governor Otti emphasized the need for continuous evaluation and improvement. He recalled that the administration’s initial focus in 2023 was on moving “from the drawing board to the field of execution,” noting that the past 21 months had been instrumental in learning the ropes of public service delivery, managing stakeholder expectations, and maintaining a balance between urgent needs and long-term vision.
“These regular retreat sessions have been institutionalised to enable us to periodically assess ourselves, measure our progress vis-à-vis the relevant milestones that form the nucleus of our agenda,” he stated. “It is also a platform to identify shortcomings and determine how to speed up delivery—within the limits of available resources.”
While acknowledging the commendation received from across the political spectrum for the administration’s achievements over the last two years, Governor Otti reminded appointees of the need for empathy, diligence, and an understanding of the dynamics of modern governance.
“We must remember that we are now operating in a different terrain, where expectations are high and rapidly changing,” the Governor said. “This requires not only strong leadership but also a deep connection to the needs of our people.”
He issued a firm warning against laxity and mediocrity, stating that his government maintains zero tolerance for underperformance. He urged participants to take full advantage of the retreat for personal development and team synergy.
“I encourage us to interact, ask questions during group discussions, and book one-on-one mentorship sessions with members of the Global Economic Advisory Council,” he said. “We have zero tolerance for mediocrity.”
The Governor pointed out that this particular retreat is distinct from previous ones, as it includes the participation of the Abia Global Economic Advisory Council. He expressed his appreciation to the Council, particularly to its Co-Chair, Professor Ms. Arunma Oteh, who has been actively engaging with government officials ahead of the retreat.
Speaking earlier, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Kenneth Kalu, said the retreat’s theme is timely and strategic. He stressed that government’s credibility is not judged by promises alone but by its ability to implement and deliver on those promises.
“While ideas and vision are important, they only gain meaning when executed through discipline and collaboration,” Prof. Kalu said. He reiterated the importance of teamwork among government officials to sustain the administration’s achievements and continue driving positive change.
The Day 1 session of the retreat was attended by members of the Abia State Global Economic Advisory Council and all appointees of the current administration, setting the tone for robust discussions on governance, policy implementation, and leadership transformation.
