In a significant address that blended economic strategy with cultural affirmation, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has laid out a concrete roadmap for tackling unemployment and insecurity, while formally endorsing the emergence of Chief Theo Nkire as the new leader of the Ngwa nation. The declarations were made at the 2025 Ngwa Day Celebration, themed “Ngwaness: Umunna Ehila,” held at Ngwa High School, Aba.
A Dual-Pronged Strategy: Economic Revival as a Foundation for Security
Governor Otti moved beyond generic promises, directly linking the state’s security challenges to its economic realities. “Crime often thrives where people are not gainfully employed,” he stated, framing his administration’s approach as a holistic one. The core of this strategy is the aggressive revival of moribund state-owned industries, a move designed to create mass employment and, by extension, foster social stability.
The governor provided a specific and ambitious list of industries targeted for acquisition or revival:
- Star Paper Mill
- Afro Beverages
- Aba Textile Mill
- International Glass Industry
- The Metallurgical Plant
This initiative is not merely about job creation; it’s a deliberate effort to reclaim the industrial legacy of Abia’s founding fathers and reposition the state as a manufacturing hub. The focus on Aba—”without Aba, there is no Ngwaland,” Otti emphasized—underscores the city’s central role as the economic engine of the region. The governor assured citizens that the ongoing transformation, though only 30 months in, is foundational, with more sector-wide developments to come.
Community-Owned Security and a Call for Vigilance
On security, Otti advanced a philosophy of collective responsibility. Declaring every citizen a stakeholder, he urged residents to actively partner with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities. This community-policing model is crucial for sustaining the improved security acknowledged by several dignitaries at the event. His assurance that “no one should live in fear in the state” was a direct commitment to maintaining this hard-won peace.
Endorsement of a New Ngwa Leader: Unity and Progressive Leadership
A key cultural and political moment of the event was the unanimous selection of Chief Theo Nkire, Abia’s first Attorney-General, as the new leader of the Ngwa people. Governor Otti gave his full and “commendable” endorsement to this decision, describing it as a well-deserved honour.
Otti charged the new leader with prioritizing the “social and economic progress of Ngwaland,” effectively tying the traditional leadership role to the administration’s broader development goals. The appointment follows a one-year mourning period for the previous leader, late Dr. Emmanuel Adaelu, and was described by Prof. Paul Ananaba, President of the Ngwa Social Club, as a choice based on Nkire’s “proven pedigree, experience, integrity, and long record of service.”
Cultural Preservation and Bipartisan Acclaim
The event also served as a vibrant showcase of Ngwa heritage, featuring displays by cultural groups like Ikoro, Ekpo, and Mgbede Umuabogho. Otti announced that the state government would honour the first Ngwa leader, Chief Jaja Wachukwu, with a posthumous 108th birthday celebration on January 1, 2026.
Notably, the governor’s policies received bipartisan praise. Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) and Austin Akobundu (Abia Central) commended the tangible improvements in security and socio-economic growth. Former Senator Nkechi Nworgu and former ICAN Chairman Chief Chidi Ajaegbu highlighted achievements including a cleaner Aba and prompt payment of salaries, citing them as evidence of significant transformation.
In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Orjinta Alala, framed the day’s significance: it was an opportunity for the Ngwa people to select a leader to “articulate their collective position on issues of concern.” With Governor Otti’s economic blueprint gaining traction and a new unifying figure in Chief Nkire, the 2025 Ngwa Day Celebration marked a pivotal moment focused on pragmatic development, cultural pride, and collective security for the people of Abia.
