‘I am using Kalu’s infrastructure template in Aba to develop Abia state,’ says Gov. Otti

The former Governor of Abia State and current Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has received glowing commendation from the incumbent Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti.

During a courtesy visit on the evening of Sunday, June 8, 2025, Governor Otti acknowledged the remarkable achievements recorded in Aba and across Abia State during Kalu’s tenure as governor from 1999 to 2007.

Otti, speaking openly, credited Kalu’s blueprint as the foundation for his ongoing development efforts in Aba and other parts of the state.

“Government and Governance is a continuum, it can be broken but you must go back and recover it,” Governor Otti stated. He further noted that Kalu had done an excellent job in the state and that he intended to build upon that legacy.

The Governor also shared a personal connection to Kalu’s administration, recalling that his mother was a strong supporter of the former governor. He highlighted Kalu’s efforts in constructing quality road networks in Aba, which continue to serve as a model for his current administration.

“I can assure you, that template is not wrong. You fix the place that generates the revenue, the revenue will come and you use it to fix other places,” Otti added.

Governor Otti’s mother and others from her generation remember well how Kalu’s leadership positively impacted various sectors in Abia, including Education, Agriculture, Road Infrastructure, and Commerce.

Under Kalu’s tenure, teachers received salaries promptly, students enjoyed free education, transportation, and educational materials. The Abia State University maintained full accreditation under the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) throughout Kalu’s eight-year term.

To further strengthen the university’s academic standing, Kalu brought in auxiliary professors from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Notably, state-owned schools did not experience any industrial strikes during his administration.

In the healthcare sector, the Abia State Teaching Hospital was established in Aba, fully equipped with modern medical equipment and staffed with highly qualified consultants.

Kalu also prioritized the welfare of the judiciary, building Judges’ quarters and improving their living conditions. These efforts reflect how Kalu strategically utilized security votes to drive significant development in the state.

Kalu, who became governor at just 39 years old, brought a dynamic business mindset to governance, earning him the nickname “Action Governor” from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who personally praised Kalu’s achievements during a visit to Abia.

Obasanjo was particularly impressed with how Kalu delivered substantial progress despite limited financial resources.

In a previous event — the commissioning of the Aba Integrated Power Project — Governor Otti also acknowledged Kalu as the pioneer behind the Aba power grid, a project spearheaded by Geometric Power Limited in collaboration with Aba Power Limited Electric (APLE), a private power distribution company licensed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Otti described Kalu as the forerunner of this critical infrastructure.

During the visit, Kalu reciprocated the goodwill, describing Governor Otti as someone with whom he would not engage in political rivalry.

He assured Otti of his support and future visits to the state.

Kalu explained that he would have attended the Governor’s second anniversary celebration if not for an invitation from President Tinubu to attend a commemorative event in Lagos marking Tinubu’s own two-year tenure.