By Oluebube A. Chukwu
Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, the highly regarded Governor of Abia State, delivered a thought provoking keynote at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) 54th Annual Accountants Conference on October 8, 2024, in Abuja. His speech, titled “Re imagining Governance: Mapping the Future,” stirred deep reflection on Nigeria’s current realities and its pathway to change. Held at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Otti’s address captivated the nation’s leading financial professionals, calling for a shift in governance thinking
In his opening remarks, Governor Otti set the tone with a sobering reflection on Nigeria’s present situation. He highlighted how issues that once seemed unimaginable like paying ransoms through social media or grappling with terrorist bombings have now become normalized. Otti drew parallels between Nigeria’s promising past and its current struggles, particularly in terms of economic decline, widespread poverty, and the erosion of public trust in institutions.
The governor didn’t mince words about the country’s deepening crises. He pointed out how Nigeria, once a nation others admired, is now mocked on international platforms, its currency devalued, and its brightest minds fleeing in droves under the ‘japa’ syndrome. “We were once a nation of optimists,” Otti lamented, “confident in our upward trajectory on the development ladder.”
Yet, his message was not simply one of despair. Otti firmly believes that Nigeria’s condition is not irreversible. “Our problem is not a lack of ideas but a failure to execute,” he declared, urging the audience to move beyond excuses and confront the harsh truths about the nation’s failure to deliver on its potential.
Otti’s speech was a rallying cry for all sectors of society to rethink their roles in nation-building. While he acknowledged the failures of the political class and the military, he emphasized that the responsibility for Nigeria’s challenges does not lie solely with these groups. “The system is comprised of all of us,” he said. “Politicians, bureaucrats, civil servants, educators, and community leaders.” He urged Nigerians to move beyond the blame game and embrace collective accountability.
This accountability, according to Otti, starts with simple acts such as paying taxes and reporting corruption. He encouraged professionals, especially accountants, to take their roles seriously, noting that governance is not just for politicians, but a collective effort requiring the involvement of everyone.
Governor Otti’s success in Abia State served as a shining example throughout his speech. Since assuming office, Otti has become a beacon of hope for good governance. He detailed how his administration in Abia State had managed to pay salaries and pensions promptly, resolve longstanding arrears, and rebuild public trust in government. The progress, he said, is a testament to resilience and a refusal to give in to adversity.
“We started the journey to change the political landscape of Abia State in 2014,” Otti recalled. Despite many setbacks, he remained resolute. His perseverance paid off in 2023 when the collective will of the people prevailed, ushering in a new era of governance in Abia.
One of Otti’s crowning achievements has been his administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. Pensioners and civil servants now receive their salaries by the 28th of every month, a far cry from the years of neglect under previous administrations. His government has already paid billions in outstanding arrears, demonstrating that with strong leadership, transparency, and commitment, even the most entrenched problems can be solved.
At the heart of Governor Otti’s address was the need for a national reimagining of governance. He urged the nation to develop new strategies and think beyond traditional frameworks, citing Albert Einstein’s famous words: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
The conference’s theme, “Governance Reimagined,” provided the perfect backdrop for Otti’s ideas. He stressed that Nigeria must move away from passive acceptance of the status quo and work toward solutions that are practical, inclusive, and sustainable. He called on ICAN members and other professionals to challenge assumptions, lead by example, and participate in the electoral process rather than leaving it to those driven by tribal or religious sentiments.
Governor Otti closed his speech with a call to action. He reaffirmed his belief that Nigeria can be redeemed if its people commit to doing the right thing. “No force can stop a determined people from changing their destiny,” Otti said. His own political journey in Abia serves as proof that change is possible, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
He left the audience with a sense of optimism tempered with realism. The future, according to Otti, depends on the decisions we make today. As he eloquently put it, “We cannot change the past, but if we start doing the right things today, we can reshape the future.”
Governor Alex Otti’s address was more than a critique of Nigeria’s challenges it was a blueprint for its future. As the ICAN conference drew to a close, the message was clear: Nigeria’s future is not fixed. It is reimagined every day by those who are willing to stand up and make a difference.
