Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti says he will be constituting the Abia State Pilgrims Board with the immediate past State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Apostle Emmanuel Agomuo as the Chairman.
Governor Alex Otti stated this while receiving in audience a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abia State chapter and fathers of Christian faith in Government House, Umuahia. He said that other members of the pilgrims board would be announced soon while the State would begin to participate in pilgrimage by 2025.
The Governor announced that the ecumenical centre he promised to build for the Christian community would be built and commissioned before the end of his first term in office. He said that he is going to build it with his personal money, informing the leaders of the Christian faith that the land for the project has been procured, papers processed and design completed.
Governor Otti used the opportunity to inform the church that though his goverment has loan offers from some commercial banks, he was yet to borrow any money to finance projects but has remained financially disciplined. He emphasized that in 2025 budget expenditure, he would only borrow if it becomes absolutely necessary, adding that such funds if borrowed would be channeled to capital expenditure.
The State Chief Executive officer thanked the Christian community for their support before and after his election, saying that he is happy with the support the Christian community is giving his administration and urged them to sustain their prayers and support for him.
Governor Otti, who assured them that he would be involving them deeply in the religious programmes of his administration, used the opportunity to invite them to be part of the flag off ceremony of the Airport construction project taking place on Tuesday next week at Nsulu in Isialangwa North LGA and other flag off and project commissioning programmes of his Goverment.
Earlier , the State CAN Chairman, Rev. Ojo Ojo Uduma tenderd an unreserved apology to the Governor for a private letter he wrote to him which he said was hijacked and published by Sahara Reporters and other online media without his authority.
He commended Governor Otti for keeping to his campaign promises to Abians and has within 18 months in office achieved great millstones in many sectors of the economy, especially, the road infrastructure, environmental cleanliness and security among others. He made some requests to the Governor including involving CAN in the planning and executing of religious programmes, the State’s participation in the 2025 pilgrimage among others and assured of their continuous support to the Governor and Government.
Also speaking, some fathers of Christian faith including the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Ukpong representated by Rev. Father Leo, the archbishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Umuahia archdiocese, Most Rev. Chibuzo Opoko and Rev. Dr. Bleesed Amalambo all commended the works done by Governor Otti so far and his financial prudence and assured him of the sustained prayers of the church to ensure he succeeds.
Members of the State Executive Council, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, Senior Special Assiatant to the Governor on Religious Matters, Apostle Kenneth Wiper, Chairman Civil Service Commission, Pastor Dr. Eno Jerry- Eze among others were present at the visit.
