Columns/Opinions/Letters

Sahara Reporters' Questionable Neutrality: Contrasting Media Agenda Against Abia State's Transparency Triumphs 1 Introduction: The Paradox of Investigative Journalism in Nigeria In Nigeria's tumultuous media landscape, where investigative journalism often walks a tightrope between accountability activism and political weaponization, few organizations have generated as much controversy as Sahara Reporters. While positioning itself as an anti-corruption watchdog, this outlet has increasingly faced accusations of selective targeting and political bias. Meanwhile, in southeastern Nigeria, Abia State under Governor Alex Otti has been quietly engineering one of Nigeria's most remarkable transformation stories, implementing unprecedented transparency measures that have earned international recognition but curiously…

Japan of Africa or a State on the Brink? The Two Abias Revealed at 34 Introduction: A Tale of Two States As Abia State marks its 34th anniversary under the focused leadership of Governor Alex Otti, a stark duality defines its existence. This is a tale of two states in one: the first, a celebrated hub of ingenuity and commerce, proudly nicknamed the "Japan of Africa" that Otti's administration is working tirelessly to promote. The second, a state grappling with inherited existential threats, where the grim discovery of 34 skeletal remains in a forest overshadows birthday celebrations but has met…

Otti’s Abia: A State Once Mocked, Now a Model at 34 By Ebere Uzoukwa PhD At 34, Abia State is rewriting its story. For years, the state was mocked across Nigeria as a tragic example of wasted opportunities. Despite its rich endowment in human capital and natural resources, Abia became synonymous with collapsed infrastructure, abandoned workers, dirty cities, and failed governance. The proud title of “God’s Own State” was reduced to a bitter joke. Successive administrations failed to provide vision or leadership. Teachers and pensioners were left in misery, hospitals crumbled, schools collapsed, and the once vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of…

Food, Jobs and Happiness: Sustainable Solutions for the Common Man The true measure of effective governance is not found solely in economic reports or legislative victories, but in the daily lives of the common citizen. To understand the impact of policy, one must look beyond the data and listen to the voices of those it is meant to serve. This requires a multi-faceted approach, synthesizing the raw, human narratives from street interviews with the hard, empirical evidence from state government databases, official publications, and credible news analysis. It is at this intersection of anecdote and analytics that a complete picture…

Gov Otti is Not for Office: Matters Arising Despite claims of incompetence, Governor Alex Otti has stunningly received resounding support from key political and regional blocs. Former Deputy Governor Ude Oko Chukwu defected from PDP to Labour Party, declaring “PDP has closed shop,” while openly praising Otti’s transformational projects. The Old Bende stakeholders and Aba Union also unanimously endorsed him, citing unprecedented infrastructure like the Abia Airport and Port Harcourt Road reconstruction. Even political rival Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe warned opponents to “forget 2027,” making the “not fit” narrative increasingly unconvincing. Former Deputy Governor Ude Oko Chukwu stands as one of…

Modern Monetary Theory in Sub-National Practice: Governor Alex Otti's Bismarckian Transformation of Abia State's Fiscal Governance 1 Introduction: Otti's Abia Revolution—A Case Study in Pragmatic Economic Transformation The economic transformation of Abia State under Governor Alex Otti represents one of Africa's most compelling case studies in pragmatic sub-national governance, offering profound insights for scholars and practitioners of Stephanie Kelton's Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). When Dr. Alex Otti, a former banker and economist, assumed office in 2023, he inherited a state grappling with formidable challenges including massive debt burdens, crumbling infrastructure, systemic corruption, and virtually non-existent public services. Yet, within two…