Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday described Governor Alex Otti of Abia State as a “miracle worker” for his strides in infrastructure development amid tough economic realities currently rocking the country.
He made the remark while commissioning the newly reconstructed 46.3-kilometre Joe Irukwu Way, a roadway traversing Umuahia North, Bende, and Ohafia Local Government Areas. The road, formerly known as the Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Ozuitem–Lohum–Nkpa–Umuimenyi–Isuikwuato–Alayi–Item–Igbere–Abiriba Road, was renamed in honour of the late elder statesman and insurance icon, Professor Joe Irukwu (SAN), a native of Abia State.
Reflecting on a past journey through the now-retouched route, Obasanjo said, “I travelled on this road to Abiriba myself and it was a hellish experience. I spent hours on the road.”
“But when I was informed that the road you constructed could take me from Umuahia to Abiriba in just 45 minutes, I said to myself, this man, Alex Otti, is indeed a miracle worker.”
The former president hailed the governor’s commitment to efficient governance, describing his leadership style as visionary, disciplined, and devoid of corruption and wastage.
“Leadership should be about vision, contentment, and discipline. In Dr Alex Otti, we have found a man of great quality. When the time comes for elections, my advice is simple: don’t change a winning horse,” Obasanjo said, urging the electorate to resist the urge to take effective governance for granted.
