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WE DON’T JUST NEED POLICIES, WE NEED PARTNERSHIP, PURPOSE AND PEOPLE — Prof. John Abraham Godson

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At the 4th Annual National Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria, held today, Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Prof. John Abraham Godson — entrepreneur, agribusiness leader, former Polish MP, and first Black Member of the Parliament of Poland, delivered one of the most powerful insights of the day. Speaking on the theme “Boosting Nigeria’s Productive Capacity for National Growth & Self-Reliance: The Role of Leadership, Industry & Innovation in Policy Implementation,” Prof. Godson emphasized that Nigeria’s transformation depends on aligning leadership with innovation and integrity.

Drawing lessons from Poland’s journey, he shared how a struggling post-communist nation rose from chaos to become Europe’s fifth-largest economy through consistent reforms, education, and policy stability. “In 1990, Poland’s GDP per capita was $1,690. Today, it’s over $51,000. What changed? Reforms, education, and consistency. Nigeria can do the same if we make education and innovation our foundation,” he said.

On policy implementation, he challenged leaders to replace top-down control with collaboration, stressing that sustainable growth requires partnership between government, business, and academia.

“Policy must be a partnership, not a proclamation. When businesses and the government sit together to design solutions, implementation becomes ownership, and ownership drives results.”

Prof. Godson also called for a national mindset shift to embrace and consume locally made products.

“Industrial transformation begins with mindset. Nigerians must learn to value what we produce locally. We can’t build a strong economy if we don’t believe in our own products.”

He concluded with a message that struck deeply:

“The path to national growth begins with people, excellence, innovation, technology, and integrity. When we invest in these, we don’t just compete globally, we lead.”

From education to entrepreneurship, and to industry, Prof. Godson’s message was a timely reminder that Nigeria’s greatness lies not in its resources, but in its people, and in the courage to think, create, and lead with purpose.

The event had in attendance several distinguished personalities, including the former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto North, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Hon. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi; the National Chairman of the Forum, H.E. Chris Akomas, PhD, FNIM; the Director-General of the Forum, Hon. Kenneth Ibe-Kalu; the Former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (GCON); the Ambassador-Designate to Poland, H.E. Michal Cygan; AIG Victor Olaiya, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the former deputy governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, the present governor of Abia state, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, and many others.

It was truly a gathering of visionaries committed to shaping a productive, self-reliant, and innovative Nigeria.

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IKWUANO RALLIES WITH UMUAHIA NORTH & SOUTH TO HONOUR GOVERNOR ALEX OTTI: A CELEBRATION OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND A CALL FOR UNITY

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The people of Ikwuano Local Government Area, in conjunction with their brothers and sisters in Umuahia North and Umuahia South, are set to host a grand and historic reception this Friday, the 10th of April, 2026, in honour of the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti at Umuahia Stadium.

We know that this momentous occasion will not be merely ceremonial, it will be a heartfelt expression of appreciation for a leader whose governance style has attracted widespread acclaim, commendation, and an inspired hope for the people of Abia State. The truth is that Governor Otti’s commitment to transparency, infrastructural development, economic revitalization, and people-oriented policies has redefined leadership and restored confidence in governance across our state.

The planned reception by the three local government areas signifies a demonstration of collective gratitude and solidarity. It depicts a deep recognition of purposeful leadership and a shared resolve to support continuity. Indeed, it promises to be a memorable event, one that will echo in the hearts of people from the State for years to come.

We therefore place this clarion call to all sons and daughters of Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South, and indeed all lovers of good governance, to come out en masse to receive and celebrate our amiable and hardworking Governor. We will certainly seize the opportunity this Friday to reaffirm our unwavering support and readiness to commit our time, energy, and resources towards ensuring a seamless and stress-free re-election come 2027.

As true Abians, we must recognize that the emergence of Governor Alex Otti in 2023 was an act of divine mercy upon our State. Therefore, our gratitude this Friday by the people of the three local government will not only be a virtue, it will be a divine responsibility. When God blesses a people with good leadership, acknowledging and supporting such leadership becomes both a moral and civic duty.
Let us, therefore, come to Umuahia Stadium this Friday, 10th of April in unity, joy, and appreciation to the man(His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti) whom God has favoured and shown mercy.

Come one, come all.

Dr. M. O. Ubani, SAN
Ikwuano/Abia’s Son.

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ABIA EASTER EMPOWERMENT: BAR. MONDAY UBANI SAN, HAILS OSINACHI NWAKA’S INTERVENTION AS MODEL OF PEOPLE-CENTERED LEADERSHIP

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In continuation of the people-oriented governance agenda of the administration of Governor Alex Otti, residents of Nde-Ibere and neighbouring communities witnessed a significant Easter empowerment programme aimed at strengthening grassroots livelihoods and boosting small-scale enterprises.

The empowerment initiative, facilitated by Hon. Osinachi Nwaka, featured the distribution of essential business support items including motorcycles, sewing machines, grinding machines, and other tools designed to enhance economic activities among youths, women, and artisans across the benefiting communities.

Speaking during the event, Hon. Nwaka reiterated that the programme was in line with the development vision of the Abia State Government under Governor Alex Otti, stressing that the intervention was intended to reduce economic hardship, promote self-reliance, and support sustainable livelihood development at the community level.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely and impactful, especially in the face of prevailing economic challenges. They pledged to utilize the items effectively to improve their businesses and support their families.

Community leaders also lauded the initiative, noting that it reflected responsive leadership and a growing culture of inclusive governance at the grassroots level.

Also present at the event was respected legal practitioner, Bar. Monday Ubani, who commended the empowerment programme, describing it as a clear demonstration of leadership that translates governance into tangible impact for the people.

Bar. Ubani stated that true governance is measured not by promises but by visible improvements in the lives of citizens, adding that the developmental direction of Governor Alex Otti’s administration is already producing measurable results across communities in Abia State.

He further noted that the initiative reflects a strong synergy between government policy direction and grassroots-driven interventions, emphasizing that such programmes help reduce poverty, encourage entrepreneurship, and restore public confidence in leadership.

The legal practitioner particularly applauded Hon. Nwaka for complementing government efforts through consistent community engagement, describing the initiative as timely, impactful, and worthy of emulation by other public office holders.

The Easter empowerment exercise is widely seen as part of ongoing efforts to translate government development policies into direct benefits for citizens at the grassroots level.

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BARR. UBANI COMMENDS OTTI’S EDUCATION REFORMS, CALLS FOR CONTINUITY

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At the 30th to 32nd combined convocation ceremony of Abia State University Uturu, a Council Member, Barr. Monday Ubani SAN, was in attendance.

Speaking in an interview, Ubani commended the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, for his administration’s educational initiatives, particularly the automatic scholarship scheme awarded to first-class graduates of the university from the last three convocation sets. The scholarships, he noted, are designed to support beneficiaries from master’s degree level through to doctoral (PhD) studies in Nigerian universities. He also applauded the various infrastructural projects in the institution commissioned by the Governor.

Ubani described the Governor’s performance as commendable, stating that his administration has made significant strides in repositioning Abia State. He therefore called for continuity in governance, emphasizing that the Governor should be given the opportunity to complete a second term in office to consolidate on the progress already made.

In a related development, Ubani, alongside other senior legal practitioners, visited Amadeus University to assess ongoing developments at the institution. He expressed satisfaction with the rapid growth of the university, describing it as one of the fastest-growing institutions in the South-East region.

He further expressed optimism that all academic programmes in the university would soon receive full accreditation from the National Universities Commission and the Council of Legal Education, particularly its law programme.

“It is our prayer that this fast-growing university will secure full accreditation for all its courses. We believe that these achievements reflect the grace of God at work in Ikwuano Local Government Area and Abia State in general,” Ubani stated.

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