by George Ozalla
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Thursday used his Christmas visit to Arochukwu in Abia State to publicly commend Governor Alex Otti for what he described as a clear and measurable transformation of the state within two years of assuming office, noting that the impact of the administration’s reforms has drawn attention well beyond Abia and Nigeria.
Sanusi spoke at the 2025 Atani Day celebration held at the Atani Community School field in Arochukwu Local Government Area, where he joined the Governor and community leaders for the cultural festival. According to a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Emir said the pace and direction of governance in Abia had become a reference point in wider conversations about leadership and development.
He acknowledged that residents of the state may already be familiar with the changes taking place but stressed that observers outside the country were also taking note of the reforms, particularly in public administration and service delivery. The Emir congratulated Governor Otti for his performance so far and offered prayers for continued strength and clarity as the administration moves forward. He also expressed pride in serving on the Governor’s international economic advisory council.
The Emir, who arrived in Abia on December 23, praised the cultural richness displayed during the Atani Day celebration and described the event as a powerful reminder of Nigeria’s shared heritage. He urged Nigerians to continue building bridges across ethnic and regional divides, emphasising unity, mutual respect and a common national identity. He also recalled his long-standing personal and professional relationship with Governor Otti, which dates back several decades, including their years in the banking sector, and noted that his visit to Arochukwu was not his first.
Governor Otti, in his remarks, warmly welcomed the Emir and described him as a brother and trusted friend of over twenty years. He said the Emir’s repeated visits to Abia, including Arochukwu, reflected a bond rooted in shared values rather than ethnicity or religion. The Governor used the occasion to caution against the politicisation of ethnic and religious differences, arguing that such tactics often emerge in the absence of genuine ideas or credible arguments.
Reflecting on the Emir’s public life, Governor Otti highlighted Sanusi’s resilience in the face of professional and personal challenges, urging the people to draw inspiration from his consistency and commitment to principle. He reassured Abians that his administration remains firmly anchored on its mandate and would not be distracted by individuals seeking attention or negotiation through noise and agitation. He maintained that the people who entrusted his government with leadership would ultimately judge its performance.
The Governor apologised to residents of Arochukwu for the inconvenience caused by ongoing road and infrastructure projects in the area, assuring them that contractors had been instructed to accelerate work to ensure timely completion. He reiterated that governance, in his view, is about improving lives and creating lasting value for citizens.
Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to security, welfare and human capital development, disclosing that between 15 and 20 percent of the state’s annual budget has consistently been allocated to education and healthcare over the past two years, with the policy continuing into the third year. He cited the Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu, as an example of the impact of these reforms, explaining that the institution had suffered years of neglect before his administration intervened.
He said the government prioritised the payment of outstanding salaries, restored academic activities and addressed accreditation challenges that had lingered for several years. He disclosed that all courses at the college were recently granted full accreditation, while rehabilitation works were ongoing on hostels, laboratories and staff quarters. The Governor added that his personal background in public education shaped his strong belief that neglecting public schools would amount to a moral failure in leadership.
The event featured cultural dances and traditional performances and attracted a wide range of dignitaries, including the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, prominent sons and daughters of the Atani community, political appointees and representatives of federal and state institutions.
The Atani Day celebration is an annual cultural gathering in Arochukwu that serves as a platform for reinforcing communal identity, celebrating heritage and engaging leaders on development priorities within the area.
