Columns/Opinions/Letters - Abia ThinkTank News

Aug

2025

Greaseless Momentum: The Self-Sustaining Machinery Of Abia’s Governance Revolution – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance, Infrastructure

Greaseless Momentum: The Self-Sustaining Machinery of Abia’s Governance Revolution (Sequel to Alchemy of the Grease) I. Institutional Architecture: Embedding Frictionless GovernanceGovernor Otti’s transformation of Abia’s institutional DNA transcends one-off reforms. By digitizing land administration from application to Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) issuance, his administration eradicated 17 revenue leakage points and enabled real-time gubernatorial approvals—eliminating bureaucratic gatekeepers entirely. This system, powered by the M-Files electronic document management platform, slashed processing time from 18 months to 72 hours while creating an immutable audit trail. The Greater Aba/Ohafia Development Authorities and Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) now function as precision instruments. The UCDA’s…

Aug

2025

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Music Is Controlled By Devil – Says 9ice

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Entertainment, Personality

Music Is Controlled By Devil – Says 9ice Singer Abolore Adegbola Akande popularly known as 9ice has claimed that the music industry is controlled by the devil, whom he refers to as the “choirmaster”. Speaking on Nancy Isime’s show, 9ice alleged devilish influence is the reason many musicians engage in certain behaviours such as smoking. He claimed that his understanding of the industry’s spiritual dynamics is based on his personal experiences and knowledge. 9ice warned aspiring musicians to be aware of the industry’s spiritual realities, emphasising that they need to understand the environment they’re entering. He stressed that the music…

Aug

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

‘Only Virgins Deserve Bride Price In Nigeria’ – Reno Omokri

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Culture, Marriage And Love, Women Affairs

‘Only Virgins Deserve Bride Price In Nigeria,’ – Reno Omokri Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has stated that bride price should only be paid for virgins, claiming that requesting money for a non-virgin under that pretext is essentially extortion. Omokri shared his view on Sunday in a detailed post on his official X account. He argued that many Africans confuse the concepts of dowry and bride price, noting that the two are often misinterpreted and wrongly used interchangeably, despite having distinct meanings and cultural origins. “There is a huge difference between a dowry and a bride price,” he explained. “However,…

Aug

2025

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No Amount Of Blackmail Can Stop Ohafia Agenda For Senate 2027 – Comr. Ahamefula Kalu Aki

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Abia North, Politics

No Amount Of Blackmail Can Stop Ohafia Agenda For Senate 2027 - Comr. Ahamefula Kalu Aki Senator Orji Uzor Kalu should stop the political gimmick he’s playing. He held the strategic position of Chief Whip in the last administration. The contrast is striking he can’t deny that. If we put sentiments aside and assess his impacts without bias, it becomes evident that my former governor—whom I still respect —may have reached the end of his political momentum. His leadership output has continued on a path of diminishing returns and has embraced content creation, and perhaps, it’s time for him to…

Aug

2025

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The Fear Of The Igbo: How Ethnic Propaganda And State Policy Strangle Development In The South-South – By Charles Ude, Esq (Abuja Based Legal Practitioner And Public Opinion Analyst)

Columns/Opinions/Letters, South East, South South

The Fear of the Igbo: How Ethnic Propaganda and State Policy Strangle Development in the South-South By Charles Ude, Esq.Abuja-based legal practitioner and public opinion analystEmail: charlesude2014@gmail.com Abstract The systemic marginalization of the Igbo people, driven by deep-seated fear, political rivalry, and economic suppression, now extends far beyond the South-East. Nowhere is this more palpable than in the deliberate stifling of infrastructure and industrial development in the South-South region of Nigeria. This article argues that the anti-Igbo sentiment, packaged as political strategy, has been sold to the South-South, weaponized to paralyze progress, and used as a smoke-screen to concentrate wealth…

Aug

2025

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Alchemy Of The Grease – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance, Infrastructure

Alchemy of the Grease The metaphor of "grease" in Abian politics once symbolized murky financial lubrication for patronage systems. Alex Otti has transmuted this concept into something revolutionary. By deliberately creating fiscal friction—clearing salary arrears, purging ghost workers via digital payrolls, and exposing past graft—his administration forced systemic reinvention. Transparency itself became the new lubricant, starkly illustrated when Otti contrasted his $22.8 million Port Harcourt Road rehabilitation with the previous regime’s failed $29 million expenditure, weaponizing data to fuel public trust. Even counter-intuitive moves, like slashing market levies by ₦4,000 amid infrastructure demands, revealed his insight: true economic lubrication springs…

Aug

2025

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How Governor Otti’s Bold EEDC Deal Will Electrify Abia’s Industrial Revolution – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Governor Otti On Public Affairs)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Power & Energy

How Governor Otti’s Bold EEDC Deal Will Electrify Abia’s Industrial Revolution By Ebere Uzoukwa, PhD In a bold and visionary move, Governor Alex Chioma Otti has taken a decisive step toward resolving one of Abia State’s most enduring developmental challenges—access to steady, reliable electricity. Through his administration’s strategic push to acquire a 60% equity stake in the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) as it operates within Abia State, Governor Otti is not merely seeking to fix power supply; he is laying the foundation for a full-scale economic transformation anchored on industrialization, MSME growth, and inclusive development. This engagement with Interstate…

Jul

2025

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Amah: When Truth Breaks Through Politics – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Governor Otti On Public Affairs)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance, Politics

Amah: When Truth Breaks Through Politics Ebere Uzoukwa, PhD Dr. John Amah, elder brother to Abraham Amah, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, has done what many within the opposition ranks often avoid—he spoke the truth. And in doing so, he has echoed the sentiments of countless Abians who daily witness and appreciate the quiet but profound transformation Governor Alex Otti is driving across the state. At a time when the political landscape is clouded by cynicism, partisan propaganda, and deliberate opposition, Dr. Amah’s voice rises above the noise—honest, unfiltered, and deeply refreshing. His testimony…

Jul

2025

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The Tangible Economics Of Public Trust: Quantifying The Global Balance Between Investment And Reward – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance

The Tangible Economics of Public Trust: Quantifying the Global Balance Between Investment and Reward Gaining and maintaining public trust transcends mere goodwill; it operates within a rigorous economic framework demanding strategic resource allocation. Organizations and governments worldwide navigate a complex calculus, weighing significant investments against the substantial, often quantifiable, benefits of a trusted reputation. The evidence from diverse global contexts underscores that trust is not an abstract ideal but a concrete asset with measurable inputs and returns. Building trust necessitates substantial, upfront investment. Consider the establishment of institutional safeguards. Australia's creation of the National Integrity Commission in 2020 represents a…

Jul

2025

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Otti’s Campaign Promises And Governance Performance: 2023-2025 – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance, Infrastructure

Otti's Campaign Promises and Governance Performance: 2023 - 2025 Governor Alex Otti has driven a transformative agenda in Abia State since 2023, delivering on core campaign promises through landmark infrastructure achievements, including the completion of 237 roads—notably the historic revival of Port Harcourt Road after 30 years of neglect—and the restoration of Aba’s water supply; pioneering fiscal reforms that cleared ₦40 billion in salary and pension arrears, implemented Nigeria’s highest minimum wage (N70,000), and reduced the state’s debt by 57.2%; championing social investments such as recruiting 9,000 teachers, guaranteeing free education with 20% annual budgetary allocations, and enrolling 20,000 civil…