by Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has inaugurated the 17 LGA Coordinators and Orientation Officers of Abia State Orientation Agency with a charge on them to boost the campaign for attitudinal and systemic change in the state.
Inaugurating the coordinators at the Abia State Orientation Agency headquarters, 11 Okpara Avenue Umuahia, Governor Otti reminded them that they were painstakingly selected, hence the need for them to consistently raise awareness, positively change attitudes, values and behaviours and mobilize citizens to act in ways that promote peace, harmony and development across the state.
The Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu described the agency as a strategic initiative of government to encourage value reorientation amongst the people of Abia, adding that the agency would serve as an important pillar to strengthen efforts made by government to build a new Abia.
“Leadership is important in achieving socioeconomic transformation, but a citizenry that is not socially responsible is a problem”.
“The agency is our latest attempt at hitting the reset button to discard mediocrity and uphold meritocracy.
“Abia will remain unchanged unless we resolve to play by the highest ethics of sound attitude and judgement,’’ Otti said.
The State Chief Executive charged the agency to educate Abia people to adopt new behavioural patterns that supports government’s efforts in rebuilding the state.
He further assured that government would provide the necessary support and resources to enable the agency succeed in the discharge of its mandate.
In his address, the Director General, Abia State Orientation Agency, Pastor Dike Nwankwo, said the agency is saddled with the responsibility of communicating government policy, staying abreast of public opinion, promoting patriotism, national unity and development of the state.
Pastor Nwankwo also used the medium to disclose that the agency is at the forefront of fostering a social culture that is in tandem with Gov. Otti’s government’s vision through the use of new and traditional media, town hall meetings, grassroots engagements among others.
“We have the duty to enlighten critical stakeholders to make Abia a standard for good governance and responsible citizenship,’’
“We all have a critical role to play in the mission to build a new Abia, therefore all hands must be on deck,’’ he said.
Responding on behalf of the 17 LGA Coordinators and Orientation Officers, the LGA Coordinator for Osisioma Ngwa LGA, Sir Precious Aguwa thanked the Governor for finding them worthy to serve in his administration and promised that they will live up to expectations.
The inauguration attracted the presence of the Deputy General Manager, Abia State Orientation Agency, Ms Ure Abazie, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Acho Obioma, his Media and Publicity counterpart, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Ifeoma Thomas among other notable personalities.
