By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has vowed to dismantle the culture of celebrating fraudsters, drug barons and other questionable characters, insisting that individuals of integrity and genuine accomplishments should be honoured while they are alive.
Otti made the remarks during the 90th birthday celebration of Emeritus Professor Benson Oluikpe in Umuahia, where he criticised the practice of recognising outstanding individuals only after their death.
The governor said public recognition should be reserved for people whose achievements and contributions inspire others, particularly younger generations, to pursue excellence and uphold positive values.
He cited the recent celebration of five Abia schoolchildren who emerged champions at an international competition in Qatar, describing the recognition as part of his administration’s efforts to promote excellence.
Otti also recalled an experience from 1989 when his father questioned him about the source of the ₦100 he sent home while working at Citibank. He said the incident reinforced the importance of accountability and integrity, urging parents to ask their children how they obtained their money.
Earlier, Professor Oluikpe expressed gratitude for the honour, describing Otti as a humble man endowed with wisdom. He recalled meeting the governor in 2013, when Otti was still a banker, and said the impression formed during their first encounter influenced his subsequent support for the governor’s political ambition.
Oluikpe described Otti’s electoral setback in 2015 as a divine postponement of his political moment. He also urged public office holders to use their resources to positively impact humanity and cautioned the governor’s supporters against sycophancy, stressing the importance of honest advice over flattery.
Responding, Otti said the experience had reinforced his belief that God’s timing was always the best.
The governor also announced plans to honour another Abia-born professor and inventor based in the United States in December. He described the individual as a globally recognised scientist whose invention helps accurately target cancer cells.
Otti said the recognition of outstanding Abians would remain open to everyone, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or place of residence.