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CLIMATE-SMARTURBANIZATIONANDENVIRONMENTALGOVERNANCE: THE ABIA DEVELOPMENT MODEL FOR BUILDINGRESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES IN AFRICA A lecture delivered by Ebere Uzoukwa, PhD, Senior SpecialAssistant to the Governor of Abia State on Public Affairs at the2026 World Environment Day Celebration held on Friday June 5,2026, at Imo State University, Owerri on the theme:“Urbanization and Climate Change: Building Resilient Cities for aSustainable Future.” PROTOCOLS We are gathered here today at a defining moment in human history.Across the globe, humanity is simultaneously confronted by two powerfulrealities: the rapid expansion of cities and the escalating threat of climatechange. These twin forces are reshaping economies, governance systems,public health,…

BEFORE YOU ASK ABIA TO CHANGE DIRECTION, FIRST ANSWER THE HARD QUESTIONS Dr. Kelechi Anosike and his supporters are fully entitled to criticise Governor Alex Otti. Opposition is an essential pillar of democracy, and the question concerning the permanent seat of government deserves a clear response from the administration. However, a Government House controversy cannot become a convenient hiding place for politicians who have no convincing answers to the deeper questions confronting Abia State. A Government House is an administrative facility. It is not the government itself. Government is measured by what reaches the people: functioning roads, improved hospitals, better…

OTTI: WHEN GOOD GOVERNANCE MAKES A LEADER A “CULT FIGURE” By Casmir Echebiri I have been to Aba two times this 2026. On both occasions I was told something that tickled me and also made me think. I visited the city to print some T-shirts on those occasions for one of my friends aspiring for a political office from the ruling APC. After the printer had finished printing on the first day, I donned one of shirts, trying to see if he did a good job. After wearing it and was critiquing it, with my brother who resides in Aba…

THE CAREER POLITICIAN’S DILEMMA: WHEN SUPPORT FOR OTTI BECOMES DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL There is a quiet but very important conversation going on in Abia politics today. It is not always said openly, but it is whispered in political circles, community meetings, private phone calls, party gatherings and village discussions. Some career politicians are asking: “We supported this government. What have we benefited?” On the surface, the question sounds familiar. In Nigerian politics, it is almost a standard expectation. A politician supports a candidate, spends money, mobilizes voters, attends meetings, prints banners, fuels vehicles, feeds supporters, protects polling units, and after victory,…

WETIN CONCERN ME? TECHRISE SERIES AND THE COMMON MAN ON THE STREET By Prof. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke There is a question that rises from the street whenever government announces a programme with big English, big banners, big ceremonies and big promises. It is not always asked in anger. Sometimes, it is asked in confusion. Sometimes, it is asked in poverty. Sometimes, it is asked from the mind of a young man who has searched for work until his shoes have become tired. Sometimes, it is asked by a woman in the market who does not hate technology but simply does…