Otti: No More ‘Somebody’s Friend’ Appointments in Abia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced that merit, competence, and integrity will be the only criteria for appointments and recruitments in his administration, ending the practice of appointing friends and family. At the Abia State Leadership Academy Executive Leadership Series held in Umuahia, Otti emphasized that the era of "somebody's friend, somebody's wife" appointments is over in the civil service.

The event, themed "Strengthening Government Ethical Leadership and Public Service Delivery," aimed to build institutions and prepare a new generation of leaders to sustain the state's development beyond the current administration. Otti cited examples such as competitive admissions to Abia State University, the recruitment of new teachers, and the appointment of Permanent Secretaries since 2023, stating that the process is now merit-based.

He highlighted the Leadership Academy and executive education programs as tools to develop people and institutions, not on individual dependencies. Borrowing from his interactions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Otti stressed that good leaders must deliberately develop individuals capable of surpassing them. Otti also unveiled a 25-year development plan for Abia, which is now law and cannot be altered by future administrations without the State House of Assembly's approval.

He announced plans to establish the Abia State Bureau of Statistics to enhance data availability for planning and budgeting, emphasizing that accurate data, proper planning, and effective supervision are crucial for governance.