Abia Leadership Academy Graduates 1,086, Otti Demands Action, Integrity

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has challenged young Abians to embrace excellence, innovation, hard work and selfless service, urging them to become active drivers of the New Abia project.

Governor Otti gave the charge at the graduation ceremony of the 2026 Abia State Leadership Academy Youth Leadership Boot Camp, held at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.

The four-week programme, organised by the Abia State Leadership Academy in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, produced 1,086 graduates.

Speaking on the theme, “The Leadership Vocation,” Governor Otti congratulated the graduates and reminded them that their graduation was not the end of their leadership journey, but the beginning of greater responsibility.

He urged them to take the knowledge acquired at the Academy back to their schools, families and communities, establish mentoring clusters and mobilise their peers to contribute to the development of the state.

Governor Otti said the New Abia project is a transgenerational journey that requires patience, resilience, teamwork and commitment, warning the graduates against remaining passive citizens.

He said: “You are not going home as regular people anymore. You now belong to a special community of young minds with a responsibility to act with distinction and carry the light of excellence into your communities, schools, and wherever the future takes you.”

The Governor also urged the young leaders to remain steadfast in the face of opposition and challenges, stressing that their daily choices would determine the kind of future they help to build.

Otti further directed the Leadership Academy to maintain a directory of participants and track their progress, while expressing interest in seeing ideas developed during their capstone presentations translated into practical solutions.

Describing the graduates as “bearers of solutions, drivers of innovation and agents of transformation,” the Governor assured them of government support whenever they require assistance to actualise their ventures.
He also commended the President of the Academy, Professor Kenneth Kalu, the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University and other partners for their contributions to the success of the programme.

Governor Otti noted that about ten percent of the participants were young people of Abia origin living in different parts of the country, describing this as evidence of his administration’s inclusive policy that recognises anyone who lives in Abia as an Abian.

He particularly acknowledged one of the outstanding participants, Rosely Farida Abdusalam, who lives in Aba with her parents, saying her success demonstrates the effectiveness of the policy.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pastor Dr. Eno Jerry Eze, said the 1,086 graduates were selected from more than 7,000 applicants, describing their selection as a testament to their potential and commitment to leadership.

She said the programme reflects the Otti administration’s commitment to investing not only in infrastructure but also in the state’s most valuable asset — its young people.

According to her, participants were exposed to real-life scenarios, critical thinking, diverse perspectives and practical problem-solving, rather than relying solely on conventional classroom lectures.

Earlier, the President of the Abia State Leadership Academy, Professor Kenneth Kalu, commended Governor Otti for establishing the institution as a deliberate investment in the future of Abia.

Prof. Kalu said the Governor had chosen to invest not only in roads, buildings and other physical infrastructure, but also in the minds, character and civic consciousness of young Abians.

He urged the graduates to return to their communities and lead, their schools and solve problems, and their families and model the values acquired at the Academy.

Prof. Kalu also challenged them to uphold integrity whenever they face pressure or temptation to compromise, reminding them of the values for which the Academy stands.

The graduation ceremony featured goodwill messages from the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe, and other dignitaries.