The ancient Ohafia Kingdom, one of the largest urban communities in Abia State, is set to host what it describes as the biggest social gathering ever held in the area in honour of Governor Alex Otti.
The event, tagged “Ohafia Grand Reception for Governor Alex Otti,” is scheduled for November 18 at Central School, Elu Ohafia, the ancestral headquarters of the 26-community clan.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Reception Planning Committee, constituted by the Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU), the apex socio-cultural organisation of the community. The committee comprises prominent sons and daughters of Ohafia and made the disclosure after a consultative meeting with state government officials.
Chairman of the committee, Mr. Uduma Okoro Kalu, said the reception was conceived in recognition of what he described as Governor Otti’s exemplary performance and commitment to good governance, which he said had earned him the admiration of the Ohafia people.
“We want to adopt him as our son because he is performing exceedingly well. In Igbo cosmology, every responsible father or community adopts a child who, through his conduct and achievements, makes the people proud,” Kalu said.
He spoke in a joint statement issued by the committee and the OIU and signed by the union’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Emele Onu.
According to the OIU, the Otti administration has introduced fiscal discipline in the management of the state’s resources, creating the foundation for the execution of hundreds of kilometres of road projects, the transformation of Umuahia into a more modern and organised city, the rehabilitation of public schools and healthcare facilities, and the introduction of shuttle buses to provide affordable transportation.
The union also identified the establishment of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority in 2024, with its headquarters in Ohafia, as a landmark achievement of the administration.
The authority, it said, was established to promote balanced infrastructural development and economic growth across Abia State’s three senatorial zones of Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South.
President-General of the OIU, Prince Kalu Ikpemini, said the reception would provide an opportunity for the community to formally recognise the Governor’s performance and publicly declare its support for his administration.
“We want to adopt the Governor on that day to make a statement to the world that hard work pays off and that, as Ohafia people and stakeholders in Abia State, we appreciate his diligence and support his administration to continue,” Ikpemini said.
He also commended the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, describing him as a worthy son of Ohafia who had performed creditably in office.
“His Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, is our son and is doing very well. We therefore affirm our support for the team,” he added.
