Governor Alex Otti inaugurated the Abia State Orientation Agency on Tuesday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia to encourage value reorientation among the people of Abia State.
“The new Abia State Orientation Agency represents our boldest attempt yet at hitting the reset button as we separate ourselves from the choices that frustrated our best efforts at moving past the wilderness of mediocrity before now,” Governor Otti said during his speech.
“A new era is now upon us and we must put away the old garb of greed and selfishness, poor attitude to work, clannishness and instincts that promote mediocrity over meritocracy and excellence. Our challenge going forward shall be to determine how we can individually contribute to the building of our dream New Abia.
“Abia will remain what it was before now unless we resolve collectively that in public and in private, we shall only play by the highest standards of ethics and sound judgment.”
Governor Otti said the agency’s mandate is to boost the campaign for attitudinal change in Abia by teaching, enlightening and then educating the public on “the values that are in tandem with the spirit of the New Abia; honesty, patriotism, love of one’s neighbour and goodwill to all.”
He added: “The idea is to change the way we think and behave and ensure high standards in our daily lives.”
In his speech, Pastor Dike Nwankwo, the agency’s director-general, assured that social reengineering and character remoulding would be central to the discharge of its mandate.
According to Nwankwo, infrastructural development, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, and making good laws are not enough to change Abia.
“We have a duty to renew our moral values and encourage attitudinal change to achieve the Abia of our dreams,” he said.
The inauguration of the agency was part of activities outlined for commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the creation of Abia State.
The State was among the nine states created by former military president Ibrahim Babangida on August 27, 1991. Others include Osun, Edo, Kogi, Yobe, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, and Taraba States.
