The Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Ndubueze Echema, has described Abia State Governor Alex Otti as a man of integrity, saying his achievements will speak for him as he seeks re-election in 2027.
Bishop Echema made the remark on Sunday at the Christ the King Cathedral (CKC), Asa Road, Aba, while welcoming Otti, priests, Catholic faithful and other guests who gathered to celebrate his 40th priestly anniversary.
The bishop thanked the governor for his decision to support the construction of a retirement home for priests in the diocese, noting that he had raised the need with Otti about three months earlier.
“Let me go to our amiable governor. It is not up to three months we invited you here and then we cornered you and presented our needs.
“I mentioned that day that I am dealing with a governor with integrity. And I have no fear of any contradiction to repeat it here. We are dealing with a man with integrity. If you are in doubt, you go to Aba. He is a man of integrity.
“I am telling you, Otti, I have said it before, I am not campaigning for you and I don’t need to campaign for you. The work that you have done so far will campaign for you.
“You will continue to go higher and higher and I know you will do it (building the retirement home). Thank you so very much. I’m sure the priests are very happy. You have taken down our heavy load. There are so many things to do. So, thank you for this wonderful gesture.”
Echema also thanked God for His grace throughout his 40 years of priestly ministry and appreciated the bishops, priests, Catholic faithful and other guests who attended the celebration.
In his remarks, Otti congratulated Echema on his 40th priestly anniversary and prayed for God to continue to sustain him.
The governor described the bishop as a rare gift to Nigeria and thanked God for His grace upon him throughout his four decades of service.
Otti recalled that Echema had informed him of the need for a retirement home for Catholic priests, bishops, reverend fathers and religious sisters.
He said he and his friends, including the Chairman of Unubiko Foundation, Chief James Ume, the Ide John Udeagbara Foundation and other private individuals, had decided to fund the project without government resources.
“We are very happy that our Father has clocked 40 years in this service and it is a rare privilege to do 40 years. We thank God that he has good health. So that is the grace of God.
“I pray that God will keep him because he is a rare gift to Nigeria. We want to thank God for his life and it is our prayer that He will continue to keep him. This is the least he can ever be.
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“I know that there is something that the Bishop has so much passion for. He called me sometime and said, ‘this is what I want to do.’ That is a retirement home for priests, bishops, reverend fathers, and I believe Rev sisters too.
“We want to take that problem off you. We will fund it. So, work will start very soon. And I know it’s not government’s fund. It’s from Alex Otti Foundation, Unubiko Foundation, Ide John Udeagbara Foundation and private concerns. So, it’s not a government thing. We will do it to our standard,” Otti said.
The governor also disclosed that work on the Abia Airport in Nsulu had progressed significantly, with the runway nearing completion.
The event was attended by the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa; members of the Abia State House of Assembly; mayors; members of the State Executive Council; senior government appointees; Archbishop of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji; bishops from across the country; Chief James Ume and other dignitaries.
