The former Mayor of Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, Mr Newman Azuh has congratulated the people of the state on the 35th anniversary of its creation, while commending Governor Alex Otti for what he described as a transformative approach to governance and development.

The former mayor made the statement at his country home in Ogwe Asa, Ukwa West, while interacting with newsmen on the achievements of the Otti administration, his tenure as mayor, developments in Ukwa West and the 2027 general elections.

He described his appointment by Governor Otti as the first Mayor of Ukwa West as one of the greatest honours of his life, noting that the opportunity enabled him to return from the diaspora to serve his people.

According to him, the appointment was a positive signal to Abians at home and in the diaspora, adding that he and other pioneer mayors gave their best in the service of the people.

He commended Governor Otti for changing the narrative of leadership and governance in Abia State, saying Abians across the world are proud of the administration’s achievements.

He said the governor’s administration had recorded notable progress in infrastructure, road construction, electricity, healthcare and education.

“Since the inception of this Government under His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, every Abian, both at home and in the diaspora, is really proud of what he has been able to achieve in changing the narrative about leadership and governance in our state,” he said.

On the development of Ukwa West, an oil-producing local government, the former mayor said more attention was still required because of the peculiar challenges associated with oil-producing communities and decades of neglect.

He, however, commended the administration for initiatives through the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), particularly projects in Ukwa West.

He mentioned the construction of the road linking Obehie to Owaza as some of the notable developments in the area, while expressing optimism that more projects would be executed.

“We are very hopeful and positive that, going forward, there will be more things to come to my local government. Because of decades of neglect, there are a lot of facilities and infrastructure that need to be rebuilt,” he said.

Reflecting on his 11-month tenure as mayor, he described the period as challenging but rewarding, saying his administration made visible changes to the local government.

He listed the construction of a new police station, rehabilitation of the High Court and Customary Court, interventions in water supply and efforts to restore electricity in some communities among his administration’s achievements.

According to him, the projects were aimed at improving security, justice, water supply and the general welfare of residents.

“Every Ukwa citizen will testify that we changed the face of our local government for the first time in a long time. If you go there, you will see the physical structures we put in place,” he said.

Speaking on the 2027 elections and his support for Governor Otti’s re-election, the former mayor declared that he was already mobilising support for the governor and the Labour Party at the grassroots.

He said his ward, Ogwe Ward in Ukwa West, remained firmly behind the governor, describing the area as politically secure for Otti’s re-election.

According to him, his political influence extends beyond his immediate community, adding that he and his political associates were actively involved in mobilising support for the Labour Party across the area.

“There is no competition against His Excellency here. This place is secure for four over four,” he declared.

He also disclosed that following the end of his tenure as mayor, he had returned to his private business while remaining active in grassroots political activities.

On his message to Abians as the state marks 35 years since its creation, the former mayor urged residents to remain optimistic about the future of the state under Governor Otti.

Using an aviation analogy, he said Abia was in safe hands under the present administration.

“When you have a good captain on the ship or an aeroplane, you see, it is in automatic mode. I believe strongly that Abia State is in very safe hands and is on autopilot,” he said.

He urged Abians to support the administration, saying the governor’s achievements had raised expectations among the people.
“I tell my fellow Abians to relax because we are cruising at high altitude. There is no stopping us,” he added.

The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and welfare of senior citizens as it joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, with a renewed call for collective action against all forms of abuse, neglect and discrimination against older persons.

The event, organised by the Office of the Wife of the Governor in collaboration with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, was held under the theme, “Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work.”

Speakers at the event stressed the need for families, communities and institutions to care for older persons, treat them with dignity, accord them the respect they deserve and protect them from emotional, physical, financial and psychological abuse.

Delivering her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Blessing Felix, said the welfare of elderly citizens has remained a priority of the administration of Governor Dr. Alex Otti.

According to her, the annual commemoration provides an opportunity to reflect on the often overlooked challenges confronting older persons, noting that many elderly people experience neglect, isolation and abuse despite spending the greater part of their lives contributing to family and societal development.

She explained that while awareness campaigns have helped expose the problem of elder abuse, genuine progress can only be achieved through practical action.

“Awareness alone cannot protect an elderly woman whose property has been taken away or an elderly man abandoned because he is no longer economically productive. Real progress begins when awareness is translated into action through compassion, stronger institutions and effective implementation of laws,” she said.

Mrs. Felix highlighted the enactment of the Abia Senior Citizens Centre Law No. 4 of 2025 as a landmark achievement of the present administration, describing it as a demonstration of government’s resolve to safeguard the rights and welfare of older persons.

She disclosed that Abia is among only four states in Nigeria to have enacted such legislation and announced plans to convene a multi-sectoral validation workshop to develop the implementation framework for the law.

The Commissioner also noted that the state government’s One-Stop Centre for survivors of abuse reflects its broader commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, including elderly persons, while acknowledging the humanitarian efforts of the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, for her consistent advocacy and support for senior citizens and other vulnerable groups.

Representing the Wife of the Governor, the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Chidera Emetu, assured elderly citizens that they remain a priority of the present administration.

She said the Abia Senior Citizens Law signifies government’s commitment to ensuring that growing old in Abia no longer means being forgotten.

Mrs. Emetu noted that retired public servants continue to receive their pensions promptly, describing the gesture as a demonstration of respect for their years of dedicated service.

She further revealed that through the Office of the Wife of the Governor, the state has implemented several interventions targeted at improving the lives of elderly persons, including cash support, affordable healthcare services, medical outreaches, food distribution, clothing and housing support.

Commending the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection for her dedication, she assured senior citizens that the administration of Governor Alex Otti would continue to protect their rights, preserve their dignity and improve their quality of life.

“As we reflect on today’s theme, let every home become a place of care, every community a sanctuary of respect, every institution an advocate for justice and every one of us a guardian of the dignity of our elderly citizens,” she stated.

The keynote speaker and Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okorafor, described elder abuse as a growing global concern requiring urgent attention from governments and society.

He identified loneliness, neglect, age-related illnesses such as arthritis and rheumatism, as well as financial exploitation through cyber fraud and internet scams, as some of the major challenges confronting elderly persons.

Okorafor observed that developed countries devote significant resources to caring for their ageing populations and commended the Abia State Government for establishing the Abia Senior Citizens Centre, where elderly citizens are registered to facilitate the delivery of welfare services and ensure they feel valued.

He also condemned ageism, describing it as a harmful form of discrimination that deprives older persons of their rights and dignity, and urged governments, healthcare professionals, communities and families to work together to eliminate abuse, exploitation and social exclusion of senior citizens.

In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Uchechukwu Kalu, lauded Governor Alex Otti for his transformational leadership, saying no sector of governance has been neglected under his administration.

She also commended the Ministry for championing programmes that continue to improve the lives of vulnerable groups across the state.

The event featured the distribution of cash gifts and other support packages to elderly persons as part of the state’s commitment to enhancing their welfare.

Dignitaries at the event included Mrs. Eucharia Okezie, Wife of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly; Lady Joy Iheoma, Wife of the Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area; Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas, Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation; top government officials, traditional rulers, political appointees, , civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

The Office of the wife of the Governor in collaboration with the Ministry of women affairs, organized a colourful event in Umuahia to commemorate the International Day of the Boy Child.

The celebration brought together government officials, educators, traditional rulers, students, and other stakeholders to advocate for the empowerment, protection, and holistic development of the boy child.

In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, emphasized that while significant attention has rightly been given to the girl child over the years, it is equally important to invest in the boy child to raise productive, responsible, and purpose-driven men.

Government college Umuahia band

She stressed the need to nurture boys who are intelligent, morally upright, and capable of becoming responsible husbands, fathers, and leaders. According to her, true strength lies not in aggression but in character, discipline, and integrity.

Dr. Aghukwa further called for increased opportunities in skills acquisition, mentorship, education, and personal development to enable boys to excel and contribute meaningfully to society.

Representing the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the Wife of the Deputy Governor described the celebration as a landmark initiative that reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive child development.

She noted that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Empowering Boys for a Balanced Future,” is both timely and relevant, considering the numerous challenges confronting young boys today, including negative social influences, substance abuse, and violence.

Addressing the boys, she encouraged them to believe in themselves, dream big, work hard, and never underestimate their potential.
She assured them of the continued commitment of the Governor’s wife to the welfare, protection, education, and holistic development of all children in Abia State, regardless of gender.
She also urged parents, teachers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to raise boys who are confident without violence, strong without cruelty, resourceful without selfishness, and successful without compromising their values.

In his goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Sir Kelechukwu Nwosu, stated that training and empowering the boy child is crucial to societal growth and development.

He observed that many social vices, including cybercrime, drug abuse, armed robbery, and other criminal activities, stem from the neglect of the boy child. He stressed the need to provide boys with quality education, moral guidance, and skills development opportunities.

Nwosu also highlighted Governor Dr. Alex Otti’s reforms in the education sector, including the recruitment of 10,000 teachers and the allocation of 20 percent of the state’s budget to education, describing the initiatives as significant investments in the future of Abia children.

Delivering the keynote address on the theme, “Empowering the Boy Child for a Balanced Future,” Pastor Ogbonna Samuel of the Living Word ministries described a boy child as “a male child being raised to become a responsible father.”
He stated that every boy carries seeds of greatness and should never be neglected, warning that continued neglect could have far-reaching consequences for society.

According to him, education remains the most effective tool for empowering boys, helping them understand their rights, responsibilities, and place in society.

Pastor Samuel also highlighted the challenges associated with toxic notions of masculinity, where boys are often told to suppress their emotions and face life’s challenges alone.

He advocated giving equal value and opportunities to both boys and girls, stressing that a balanced society can only be achieved when no child is neglected.

He maintained that proper training and moral upbringing of boys would significantly reduce crime rates, noting that many perpetrators of crimes such as armed robbery, internet fraud, and drug abuse are male youths who lacked proper guidance and support.

The cleric emphasized that the responsibility of raising responsible boys rests on families, schools, religious institutions, and society as a whole.

The event also featured several competitions among participating schools.
In the Spelling Bee Competition, Intellectual Giants Christian Academy emerged winner with six points, while Government College Umuahia finished as runner-up with five points. Other participating schools included Trailblazers Academy and Ndume Otuka Secondary School.

In the Quiz Competition, Mayfair Academy emerged winner with five points, Ibeku High School came second with four points, while Government College Umuahia secured third place with three points.

For the Tongue Twister (Okwu Ntabire) Competition, Amuzukwu Secondary School emerged victorious.

Schools that emerged victorious in the various competitions were presented with a learning pad, a dictionary, and a cash prize of ₦30,000 for their school libraries.

Among dignitaries present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Ogechi Betty Oguama; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere; wives of mayors from across the state, traditional rulers, political appointees, and other stakeholders.

Highlights of the celebration included cultural dance displays, thrilling Ohafia War Dance performances, and musical renditions by participating schools, all of which entertained guests and added colour to the occasion.

The event concluded with a renewed call on parents, educators, and policymakers to invest in the boy child, recognizing his vital role in building a balanced, peaceful, and prosperous society.