A new culture of financial discipline and prudent management of state resources has become a major feature of governance in Abia State, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Alex Otti, Pastor Caleb Ajagba has said.
He made this known when he received in his office at government house Umuahia, a delegation of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia State Council led by the Chairman, Deacon Steve Oko.
The CoS said that the culture of good governance prevailing in Abia had set in with the inception of the present administration on May 29, 2025.
Ajagba stated that Governor Otti has brought his credentials in financial management to bear on Abia’s affairs, making so much progress across sectors without borrowing money from any source.
“This is possible because of deliberate financial re-engineering and prudent management,” he said, adding that Otti has infused financial discipline in Abia governance.
Ajagba stated that the fact that “this government has not borrowed a dime, yet development is ongoing across all sectors” is a testimony that Abia is in the hands of a financial expert and prudent manager of resourcss.
He said that the people of Abia that the people of Abia could now compare the past with the present and appreciate the difference in leadership quality.
Alluding to the opposition plot to stop Otti’s second term ambition come 2027, the Governor’s CoS said that it would be an uphill task as Abia have tasted good governance and would not let go.
“Those who created the problems of the past are the same people regrouping again; but Abians are wiser now. They can see the transparency and direction of this government,” he added.
Ajagba said that the Abia Government has high regards for journalists and considers them as “key partners” in the development of the state.
He noted with satisfaction the display of professionalism by Correspondents Chapel members in their objective reporting of government activities, adding that journalists play crucial role in promoting accountability.
The CoS confessed that “I have a soft spot for journalists because I once worked with Classic Magazine and I know how hard journalists work, often without appreciation, to keep society informed”.
He stated that the Abia government believed in openness and freedom of information hence its decision by Governor Otti to hold regular interaction with the press without restrictions.
“His Excellency believes in openness; he allows journalists to ask questions freely, even the difficult ones,” Pastor Ajagba said, adding, “that is part of the new political culture we are building in Abia”.
He also stated that the state government was focused on creating prosperity through productive engagements rather than distributing palliatives.
“The governor has not come to share money, but to create prosperity and true empowerment is about helping people to be productive, not dependent,” the CoS said.
He urged the professional journalists “to continue to report the truth”, assurjng them that “we appreciate your partnership” in the task of “bringing back the lost glory of Abia State”.
The Correspondents Chapel Chairman, Mr Steve Oko, had earlier in his remarks commended Governor Otti “for the developmental strides we have witnessed in the state” so far.
“From our observation as critical stakeholders, we can say without apologies that the emergence of His Excellency was not a mistake,” he said.
According to him, Otti has demonstrated that “he came with a clear vision for the transformation of Abia State”.
He specially lauded the administration’s taste for quality as seen in its projects, saying that the changes in the Government House and other visible structures reflect a commitment to excellence.
“Anyone visiting the Government House can immediately see and feel the difference, the new and befitting structures, the ambience, and the sense of order all reflect a serious commitment to excellence.
“These are visible signs of a government that is truly focused on change,” the Correspondents leader said.
