Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex C. Otti, on Saturday, 15th March commended Prof. Mrs. Nnenna Oti, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, for her uncompromising role during the 2023 election in Abia State.
The Governor gave the commendation at the wedding ceremony of Prof. Mrs. Nnenna Oti’s daughter, Dr. Onyinyechi Orieoma and Engr. Ugochukwu Peter, held at Rt. Hon. Iduma Igariwey Enwo’s Event Center, Ozara Mgbom village in Afikpo LGA of Ebonyi State.
During his speech, Governor Otti praised Mrs. Nnenna Oti for her integrity and fearlessness during the 2023 election, recognizing her refusal to succumb to pressure and her adherence to the dictates of her conscience, which he attributed to the declaration of his victory at the polls.
Governor Otti addressed the slight similarity in their names, which some had used to allege a relationship, he said,
“In 2023, sometime in March, God decided to complete a job that he started in 2015. I was somewhere and got a message that Professor Nnennaya Oti had been appointed as the returning officer for Abia State. Of course, I have known her, but had never met her”
He recounted how he had tried to reach out to her when she was newly appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri in 2021 but didn’t get a response, and how he had left everything in God’s hands when he learnt that she would be the returning officer.
“And when she came, she did something that people don’t regularly do. All the pressure that was mounted on her, she turned them down, and she did the right thing” Governor Otti asserted.
He further emphasized the importance of acknowledging Mrs. Oti’s efforts, stating,
“I want to use this podium to recognize her and thank her for what she did for Abia people. I think it’s more like what she did for God, because she followed her conscience; if she didn’t, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Governor Otti congratulated the couple and their families, expressing gratitude for being part of the celebration. He advised the bride to look after her husband, illustrating an advice from her mother during prayers, he said;
“I was touched when my sister confessed that she still cooks for her husband, even as a professor and vice chancellor; there is no better admonition than that.
Governor Otti was joined at the event by the Honourable Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, Commissioner for Trade and Commerce Hon. Kingsley Nwokocha, Special Adviser on Security Commander MacDonald Ubah, and Special Adviser on Trade and Commerce, Chief Nwaka Inem. Other notable dignitaries present at the event included H.E. Sen. Dr. Ken Nnamani (former Senate President), Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika Onyeabor, and Hon. Uche Nwosu.
Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
15-03-2025
