A WORKING PARTNERSHIP
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with immense pleasure and a deep sense of duty that I stand before you today to witness the official opening of the Abia North office of Abia Think Tank Online Newspaper (ATTNEWS). This occasion marks yet another significant milestone in our collective journey towards building an informed, progressive, and transparent Abia State.
First and foremost, let me commend the management and editorial team of ATTNEWS for their unwavering dedication to credible journalism and their commitment to the dissemination of factual and objective news. The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception, holding leadership accountable, and fostering development. As an administration that prides itself on transparency, good governance, and inclusivity, we recognize the media as a vital partner in our mission to transform Abia State for the better.
Since the inception of our administration, we have made remarkable progress across various sectors, ranging from infrastructural renewal to economic revitalization, youth empowerment, healthcare reforms, civil service reforms and security enhancement. In just a short period, we have embarked on an unprecedented road rehabilitation program, ensuring that critical arteries across the state are opened for commerce, transportation, and economic growth. Today in Abia state,the payment of workers salaries and 100 percent monthly pension on or before the 28th of every month is taken for granted.
Our investment in healthcare has seen the revitalization of primary and secondary healthcare centers, equipping them with modern medical facilities to provide quality healthcare services to our citizens. In the area of education, we have continued to reposition our schools through strategic interventions, ensuring that Abia remains at the forefront of academic excellence in Nigeria.
We have also prioritized youth empowerment by appointing young and capable individuals into key positions of leadership, fostering inclusivity, and creating opportunities for skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. Our security architecture has been strengthened through huge investments in technology and the establishment of ‘Operation Crush,’ which has significantly reduced criminal activities and restored confidence in the safety of lives and property across the state.
Ladies and gentlemen, all these achievements have been possible, in part, due to the constructive partnership we have built with the media. Through responsible and balanced reportage, the media has served as a bridge between the government and the people, ensuring that our developmental strides are effectively communicated and that we remain responsive to the needs and aspirations of our citizens.
It is on this note that I reiterate my administration’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom and fostering an enabling environment for journalists to thrive. We believe that a well-informed society is a progressive society, and as such, we will continue to encourage professionalism, factual reportage, and integrity in media practice.
As ATTNEWS expands its presence with the opening of this office in Abia North, I charge you to remain steadfast in your mission of ethical journalism. Be the voice of truth, a beacon of hope, and a catalyst for societal transformation.
On this historic day, I extend my warmest congratulations to the management and staff of ATTNEWS. May this new office serve as a hub for impactful journalism that uplifts and advances the cause of Abia State.
Thank you for listening and God bless!
Dr Alex Otti, OFR
Governor, Abia State
20/02/2025
