The Director-General (D-G) of World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has commended Governor Alex Otti for the reforms she said are strengthening Abia State’s financial sustainability and driving economic transformation.

Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke in a virtual goodwill message at the 35th anniversary lecture marking the creation of Abia State, also urged the government to develop the “Made in Aba” label into a globally recognised brand.

The anniversary lecture under the theme, “The Rise of a New Abia,” was held on Wednesday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

The WTO D-G said the Otti administration has increased internally generated revenue (IGR), reduced the State’s dependence on Federation Account allocations and prioritised capital expenditure.

She also noted the State’s investments in infrastructure and improved electricity supply, as well as the settlement of inherited salary and pension arrears and reduction of its debt burden.

While acknowledging that more work remains to be done, Okonjo-Iweala expressed optimism that Abia could harness its potential to create jobs, prosperity and dignity for its people.

She said improved infrastructure, supportive policies and strategic investments in high-potential sectors could position the state within national, regional and global value chains.

Okonjo-Iweala specifically urged the government to build “Made in Aba” into a globally recognised brand while strengthening Umuahia as a light manufacturing and administrative centre.

Also speaking, the keynote speaker and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, said there was visible evidence of development in Abia since Otti assumed office in 2023.

Chidoka, however, said the ultimate test of the administration would be whether it could move Abia from having a capable governor to building a capable and sustainable state.

He said Otti’s emphasis on education is consistent with convictions he had expressed long before becoming governor, particularly in his 2014 book, Saving the Future.

Chidoka commended the consistent appropriation of 20 per cent of the State’s annual budget to education and expressed optimism that Abia could eventually become a reference point for good governance.

Meanwhile, Otti apologised to the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), community over the delayed implementation of approved demands by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which resulted in the union’s recent strike.

The governor described the strike as avoidable and warned that “heads will roll” if such bureaucratic lapses recur.

Otti said the demands presented by ASUU-ABSU were legitimate and had been approved by him months earlier, but expressed concern that the approval had not been implemented.

“ASUU went on strike about a week or two ago in Abia State University, Uturu. Their requests came to me. I looked at those requests, and they were legitimate requests, and I approved them.

“But months later, I’m not saying weeks, months later, I was to be told that, yes, you have approved. But it had not been implemented.

“So, I want to, on this podium, apologise to Abia State University as well. That strike was avoidable. And I’ve told my people, if it happens again, heads will roll,” Otti said.

The governor congratulated Abians on the state’s 35th anniversary, stressing that governance was not about an individual but about building sustainable institutions and improving on existing foundations.

He reiterated his commitment to education, explaining that his administration’s decision to abolish school fees, including in the state’s smart schools, was driven by his long-standing belief in the transformative power of education.

In a vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, called for the cooperation and support of Abians in sustaining what he described as the “rise of a New Abia.”

The event attracted members of the National Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, members of the clergy and other dignitaries.

Thousands of residents and party supporters, on Wednesday, trooped into the streets of the three federal constituencies in Ogun Central Senatorial District as the Peoples’ Democratic Party officially flagged off its campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

In Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, where the flag-off began at Agbado Station, residents waved excitedly from the streets and balconies of adjoining buildings to welcome the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Ladi Adebutu; his running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo; the party’s senatorial candidate, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo; and other leaders of the opposition party.

In Abeokuta North Federal Constituency, where Dele Olaleye is the House of Representatives candidate, the campaign train was also greeted by a massive crowd that had waited from as early as 10am to receive the PDP team at NTA Junction, Totoro.

Residents and party supporters trooped out to welcome the team, chanting solidarity songs as the senatorial and governorship candidates assured them of purposeful representation at the senatorial and federal constituency levels.

It was equally a standstill in Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, where Toyin Amuzu is the House of Representatives candidate for the party. Thousands of supporters trooped out to receive the campaign train and followed the convoy to Ake Pavilion, where the Ogun Central flag-off rally was held.

Speaking during the flag-off rally at Ake Palace, the party’s governorship candidate urged supporters and residents to vote for a tested and trusted candidate in Senator Obasanjo, saying her track record while she represented the district had not been matched.

Adebutu said Ogun Central must bid farewell to non-performance and vote for liberation. He urged residents and party supporters to come out en masse to vote for the PDP in 2027, stand by their votes and resist intimidation.

Adebutu stated that with the PDP, the best times would be restored in the country.

He said: “I want to remind you that the best times of Nigeria have largely emerged under the leadership of our great party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), exemplified by what Baba Obasanjo did as a cornerstone for his successors. Happy days are coming again, very, very soon. In January, a new dawn will break for the betterment of our people.

“I therefore urge you all to make up your mind to reject this oppressive APC government with your vote. You must chart a better tomorrow for yourself and your children. You must all turn out in your large numbers to vote for the PDP in the coming 2027 elections.

“Be ready to stand by your votes, resist intimidation and use the power of the ballot to say enough is enough to misgovernance and maladministration.”

On her part, Obasanjo said she was glad that everywhere she went, people pointed to the work she did when she represented the district from 2007 to 2011 and served as Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007.

The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo promised to do more to ensure that the people benefited from the dividends of democracy.

Obasanjo also called on residents of the state to support the PDP’s return to power and make life more comfortable and rewarding for everyone in the State.

Residents and supporters who took turns to speak pledged their loyalty to the PDP candidates and assured them of their votes in January.

Niger State under the leadership of His Excellency the Farmer Governor, Muhammadu Umaru Bago will today launch its Climate Change Policy Document and Action Plan (CCP&AP).

The CCP&AP with support from the Africa Climate Foundation (ACF), technical assistance from the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) and LQY SPV Ltd represents the progressing impact of the Farmer Governors launch of the states blue print for a green economy in 2023. The policy document represents the states efforts to deepen the nations commitment to the goals of the Paris agreement.

On the platform of NDC 3.0 and the blueprint the CCP&AP was developed and will be the launched. This launch will be used to actualize the states’ CIDP, a platform to nurture the implementation of the CCP&AP. The CIDP will work with key line ministries such as the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change, the Ministry of Budget and Planning and the Ministry of Finance as well as key sectoral Ministries such as Agriculture and Energy to develop a pipeline of projects that will have climate benefits and be bankable. The CIDP is part of a three state initiative to develop bankable climate projects at state level. The other participating states are Enugu and Delta States.

Participants at the workshop, post the launch, will break into three technical working groups – Financial Management and Climate Investment, Climate Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energy and the state electricity act. The CCP&AP is the latest in the states efforts from a policy and regulatory level to expand the platform for mobilization of climate resources to the state. Projects identified will be subjected to tests for bankability as well as relevance to policy and be presented at a workshop in the first quarter of 2027 to be attended by bilateral investors, multilateral investors, non state actors as well as domestic development banks. The workshop will be used to obtain commitments for funding to enable implementation.