South-East Governors United, Working Together — Otti Declares At Igbo Day Lecture

Governor says unity produced Mbata as Ohanaeze PG; Moghalu urges implementation of Igbo Charter

UMUAHIA — Governor Alex Otti has dismissed reports of division among South-East governors, declaring that governors of the region are united and working together in interest of Ndigbo.

Otti spoke on Monday at the 2026 Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner held at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as part of activities marking 2026 Igbo Day celebration themed “Njikọ Ka” — Unity is Supreme.

“All of us South-East governors, Igbo governors, are on same page. Forget about whatever you read. We are on same page,” Otti said.

According to him, unity among governors was reflected in emergence of Senator John Azuta-Mbata as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, noting that governors consulted among themselves before supporting him and there was no opposition.

He dismissed attempts to create divisions over involvement of Rivers and Delta States in Igbo matters, saying region has more important issues to focus on, particularly economic development, unity and future of its people.

On economy, Otti said Abia can no longer depend solely on conventional trading, stressing the need to move towards manufacturing and digital commerce.

He said markets such as Ariaria remain important, but changing technology and consumer habits mean traders and businesses must adapt.

“You resist technology at your own risk,” he warned.

Governor said his administration is investing in digital skills because young people in Abia are already taking advantage of remote work with international companies.

He described Aba as combining commercial strength of Onitsha and manufacturing capacity of Nnewi, saying the state would continue to develop traditional markets while preparing traders and youths for digital business.

“We have retrieved and recovered our state, and only way to go is up,” Otti said.

Also speaking, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, said Igbo Charter was designed to give people clear direction on political, economic, cultural and social aspirations.

Mbata spoke on proposals for Ohanaeze Foundation and South-East SME Trade and Development Bank, saying initiatives could help mobilise resources for businesses and development.

On language preservation, he called for stronger measures to ensure Igbo is taught in schools across South-East and urged political leaders, traditional rulers, business leaders and stakeholders to take ownership of document and ensure implementation.

In his keynote lecture titled “Njikọ Ka — The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo,” former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, challenged Ndigbo to move beyond producing reports to implementing recommendations in Igbo Charter of Strategic Engagement for National Development.

Moghalu, who chaired the committee that produced the charter, said the document should not end up on the shelf.

“The moment it becomes property of one party, one candidate, one governorship cycle, one faction of Ohanaeze, it dies,” he warned, describing charter as social contract among Ndigbo and between Ndigbo and Nigerian federation.

He called for small professional implementation council supported by public dashboard and quarterly scorecards.

He identified four immediate priorities: strengthening teaching of Igbo language, creating Igbo digital marketplace, properly documenting Igbo diaspora and establishing credible security and investment framework for South-East.

Moghalu stressed merit over popularity, connections or internal quota arrangements, saying Igbo people have historically shown capacity through education, enterprise and innovation but need to convert individual achievements into collective progress.

Earlier, Chairman of occasion, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, urged Ndigbo to remember those who died during Nigerian Civil War — soldiers, civilians and children lost to starvation — but not allow painful memories to prevent building a better future.

He commended Otti and Ohanaeze for keeping annual event alive, saying it gives opportunity to reflect on where people are coming from, assess where they are and decide where to go.

In a vote of thanks, Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Okechukwu Nwadinobi, thanked Governor Otti, government officials and good people of Abia for hosting and warm reception, and appreciated Mbata, Ugochukwu, speakers and leadership of Ohanaeze, traditional rulers, clergy, women and youth leaders for promoting interests of Ndigbo.