SECURITY, OUR TOP PRIORITY: GOVERNOR OTTI TO THE NEW GOC 82 DIVISION, NIGERIA ARMY.
Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, says that security remains a top priority of his administration, stressing that without security, every other plan and programme of the Government will fail.
Governor Otti stated this on Friday, 28th February, when he received in audience, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General O.T. Olatoye, who was in the State for official and familiarization visit to the security formations under the jurisdiction.
“For us in Abia, we believe that security is everything. Yes, we are prioritizing infrastructure, healthcare delivery, education, environmental sanitation, digital economy and so on. Those are important. But, on top of all those, is security because if you don’t have a secured environment, every other thing will fail. So, we pay so much attention to security.
“We want to have our people sleep, even if we don’t have to sleep but our people will have to sleep with their two eyes closed. So those are the priorities of this Government, and I know that my colleagues in the other parts of the South East have the same priority”, Governor Otti stated.
The Governor told Major Gen. Olatoye that he has his job cut out for him, saying that succeeding somebody who did well has both positive and negative sides. “Positive, because there is a track record to build on, negative because of the big challenge.”
He told him that he was very happy to receive him, having received a high recommendation of him by his predecessor. He assured him of his maximum support for him to succeed and improve on the good works of his predecessor.
“Anywhere we can be of help, I’m just a phone call away”, Governor Otti assured.
The Governor thanked the immediate past GOC, 82 Division of Nigeria Army Enugu, Major Gen. H.T. Dada for his efforts in helping to maintain peace and order in Abia and other parts of the region.
Earlier in his address to the Governor, Mayor General O.T. Olatoye conveyed the message of appreciation of the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede to Governor Otti for his support to the security agencies in the State, especially the military, which has continued to enhance the discharge of their functions of securing and keeping the State safe.
He assured Governor Otti that he would do his best to sustain and upscale the existing peace and security in Abia State and other areas under his sphere of responsibility.
“I have come to assure you that my job is to upscale the existing peaceful environment so that we can have an improved social economy in the state”‘, Maj. Gen. Olatoye assured.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Comr. MacDonald Uba (Rtd) joined Governor Otti in receiving Maj. Gen. Olatoye and his entourage.
In his vote of thanks, the Brigade Commander 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General Hassan Mohammed Bello, thanked Governor Otti for his support and for receiving them on a very short notice, even when they thought it wouldn’t be possible.
Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
28-02-2025.
