Governor Otti Charges Graduates of Abia Leadership Academy to Lead with Integrity and Vision

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has called on the first batch of graduates of the newly established Abia Leadership Academy to step out as role models and agents of change in their communities. He delivered this charge during the graduation ceremony held at Government College Umuahia on Wednesday.

In his address titled “A New Pedestal”, the Governor emphasized that leadership excellence is not an accident but a product of preparation, discipline, and vision. He stressed that societies rise or fall depending on the quality of leaders they produce.

Governor Otti explained that the Abia Leadership Academy was conceived to correct long-standing leadership failures and revive values of accountability, service, and moral uprightness among the youth. He pointed out that many of society’s current problems, including decay in education and moral standards, stemmed from selfishness, indifference, and misplaced priorities of past leaders and elders.

He praised the 7-day training programme for successfully instilling core values and leadership principles in the 16 to 20-year-old participants. According to him, the choice of Government College Umuahia, historically known as the “Eton of the East,” provided a symbolic setting that inspired the participants to embrace discipline, excellence, and service.

The Governor said the pioneer graduates, numbering in hundreds, were leaving as “light-bearers” and change-makers. He reminded them that they no longer had the privilege to complain or give excuses but must now provide solutions and lead by example wherever they find themselves.

“The State Government is committing generous resources to this training,” Otti declared. “But it is an investment that will only pay off if you apply the important lessons you have learnt. From this moment, you belong to an elite corps of thinkers, visionaries, and goal-getters who will determine the course of events in your communities.”

He announced that over the next few weeks, the Project Planning Committee would deploy the graduates across secondary and tertiary institutions in the state to establish leadership hubs and mentor their peers. The state, he said, is committed to tracking their progress, offering further training opportunities for those who excel, and ensuring that thousands of young people benefit from the academy in the coming years.

Governor Otti linked the initiative to his government’s wider education and human capital development agenda. He highlighted ongoing recruitment of teachers, improvement of school facilities, and curriculum reviews to ensure Abia students are prepared for modern realities. He described leadership as the most important skill for young people, ranking even above technical knowledge.

He expressed gratitude to the Planning Committee led by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, the facilitators led by Mr. Johnson Abally, the management and staff of Government College Umuahia, and all stakeholders who supported the successful takeoff of the academy.

The graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone in the state’s drive to groom a new generation of leaders who will uphold values of discipline, empathy, accountability, and excellence.