Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has expressed his willingness to partner with the Governor of the State of Delaware, United of America, Dr Bethany Hall-Long in various areas of the Economy.

Governor Otti stated this on Friday, December 12th, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, while receiving in audience, a delegation of the Governor of the State of Delaware, United States of America who called on him.

The Governor said that Abians like other Igbo people do not believe in handouts but only need social infrastructure and enabling environment to ply their trade, noting that a collaboration with a State like Delaware in the US would yield positive results.

Governor Otti noted that the reason behind the defraying of arrears of pension and salaries is to inject money into the economy.

“So, when we came in and we said we want to pay several years of accumulated pension arrears, the whole idea was to put money in the hands of people.

“So, I’m pleased to have you here and it’s also an invitation for partnership, like you said.

“We would be very happy to work with your team so that we can collaborate. I have fantastic people in my team” Gov. Otti assured.

The State Chief Executive equally noted that his administration has invested heavily in education and health, and implemented free and compulsory basic education, including employment of thousands of teachers with discriminatory compensation package as well as retrofitting of health care facilities and employment of over 700 medical personnel.

In her speech, the 75th Governor of the State of Delaware, Dr. Bethany Hall-Long said that she is in Abia to seek collaborations with the State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.

Dr. Hall-Long, a former legislator and Professor of Nursing at the University of Delaware said that there are a lot of areas of possible collaborations, and assured that she would deploy her years of experience to ensure that the partnership works. She went further to appreciate the leadership of Governor Otti’ in Abia State.

“In my 25 years experience in the State legislature, lieutenant governor, which is like a deputy governor, and short-term governor of Delaware, I hope that we can leverage on it and build bridges.

“I am so honoured to be with a gentleman who can balance humanity, addressing poverty, security and homelessness while providing jobs, workforce, and use of manufacturing.

“We have a lot we can do together, a lot of connections. There are ideas and opportunities for collaboration with medical supplies. There are a whole lot of things that can be accomplished with the proposed partnership.

“it’s really important that you have the leadership, Sir, that you in two years have accomplished all this. And I know you’ve done it with an incredible team, and you do it with courageous leadership”, Dr Hall-Long stated.

Introducing the Governor of the State of Delaware earlier, Senator Uche Ekwunife of Anambra State said that Governor Hall-Long is in Abia to collaborate with the State Government in various areas of the economy, “to partner with the State. To bring some grants that will help the people. Help the education sector. Help the health sector. And help other areas where I don’t know if Governor Otti might want them to partner with the State.

Senator Ekwunife appreciated the achievements of Governor Alex Otti in various sectors, particularly, areas of security and infrastructure, saying that she encouraged Dr Hall -Long to come to Abia for partnership because Abia is working.

“I am truly very proud of you and your performance. When I was coming, I was telling her that Abia State is known as an industrial hub.

“This is one State (Abia State) that if anything happens to the Economy, it will affect the whole of Nigeria and Africa in general.

“So, I believe that Abia is blessed at this moment to have you (Gov. Otti), to be at the helm of the affairs of this great State” Sen. Ekwunife stated.

The Secretary to the State Government Prof Kenneth Kalu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph D, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Maureen Aghukwa among others were present during the visit.

Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
12 – 12 – 2025.