The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Richard Mills has lauded the leadership style of the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR.

Ambassador Richard Mills was speaking during his visit to the Governor at his office. He lauded the leadership style of Governor Alex Otti and noted that it is a powerful example of how to improve governance.

Ambassador Mills said that he is in Abia to discover more about opportunities existing in the State, and to explore ways that the US could work together to advance goals as well as deepen the partnership between the United States and Abia.

“Your leadership in Abia has brought real change here, positive change. Your focus on infrastructure, on security challenges, has really transformed the state.

“And we believe that it is a powerful example of how to improve governance, really, across the Southeast. Let me also take a moment to just say how much the United States values its partnership with Abia and really with the entire Southeast region of Nigeria.

“There are tremendous opportunities here for our business, our commercial interests, and Nigeria’s.
Your administration’s commitment to fostering economic growth, empowering youth, and creating a more transparent and more accountable government really aligns very closely with our goals and what U.S. business needs to see if it’s going to invest” Ambassador Mills stated.

Responding, the Abia State Chief Executive, Dr. Alex Otti appreciated the US Ambassador to Nigeria and said that his visit to the State is an endorsement for him. He expressed the willingness of the Abia State Government to partner with the US in various areas.

“We know that it is not all the time that the American Government visits a State. It’s a mark of endorsement as far as we are concerned here.

“In terms of partnership, like I was telling you, we don’t believe in grants and aid rather we seek partnership, believing that there is a lot of value that we can add working together.

“I think there are a lot of areas where you can be of help to us, and we can also be of help to America. This is probably the SME capital of Nigeria,”

Governor Otti used the opportunity to highlight his administration’s reforms in certain critical areas such as healthcare, education, waste management, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SME), and digital technology among others.

He expressed delight over the 2-day working visit of the Ambassador, which he described as a mark of endorsement for Abia State Government.

The Governor was joined in a closed-door meeting with the Ambassador by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba Ph.D, Honourable Commissioners for Power and Public Utilities, Health, Science and Technology, Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Transport, Environment, Agriculture, including the Chief Strategy Officer, Chairman, Civil Service Commission, the Chief Economic Adviser and the Technical Assistant to the Governor.

Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State
26 – 09 – 2025.