Be Prepared To Face Opposition And Criticisms, Otti Tells Appointees

Be Prepared To Face Opposition And Criticisms, Otti Tells Appointees

Being the Text of a Speech by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, at the Swearing-in of Newly Appointed Special Advisers and Heads of Government Agencies on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at Government House, Umuahia

Protocols,
1. Leadership is an exercise in continuous team building. It is essentially about finding the right people, placing them at the right positions, and giving them the leverage to work in harmony with other team members to translate the vision of the leader, into the reality of the collective. The responsibility of building the New Abia which our administration has been saddled with requires the consistent identification, and recruitment of the right individuals whose skills, competences, and experiences will be very useful for the rebuilding and restoration efforts.
2. On this note distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me happily welcome you to the swearing-in of a new set of appointees who will serve the State as Special Advisers and heads of agencies and parastatals. I want to specially congratulate the appointees for proving themselves worthy to serve our dear State. I am very optimistic that through their service, they will justify the confidence that has been reposed in them.
3. One thing you must immediately know is that the expectations of our people are understandably high and we just cannot afford to fail. Your appointment is a call to service, and nothing else should matter. Ndi Abia at home and in the diaspora are praying for our success because this is a government they installed. As leaders, our duty is to work to make life better for the people whose goodwill and enduring support brought us here.
4. We have spent the last 59 weeks working to create a new leadership paradigm, one defined by genuine sense of service, courage to do what is right, and empathy to appreciate that the ultimate aim of leadership is to bring succour to the led, especially the most vulnerable in the society. We certainly cannot accomplish everything in one day but we must strive to see that there is something new and meaningful to report each time we face the people, as it is inevitable in a democracy. What makes us different is that we are running a government that is 100% accountable to the people of the State and God.
5. To the new appointees, may I announce to you immediately that this is not a regular job. For starters, you are required to work round the clock, engaging with team members, developing and evaluating your strategy, and delivering excellence in sincere service of our State. To be honest, this is not an assignment that will earn you the whole riches in the world because stealing, asking for, and taking kickbacks, or engaging in phony deals, the type that fattens the bank accounts of individuals while impoverishing the public, are completely forbidden. The consequences of non compliance can be very heavy.
6. This Administration has zero tolerance for corruption and the fastest way to get yourself out of the team is to engage in dishonest practices. For clarity, let the warning be given in advance that once we establish any case of self-serving activities that go against the values we subscribe to as a Government, we shall be left with no option but to ask you to leave, and perhaps hand you over to the law enforcement agencies for further investigations.
7. Even then, I must also point out that you have not been called on a journey of self-immolation. As a responsible Government, we shall provide everything you need to operate effectively. At any rate, the biggest pull for this job is not in how wealthy you become at the end of your term but in the satisfaction that comes from serving your people, the opportunity to be part of history, shape the future, and one day, teach our children from the vantage point of experience, about the virtues of service, sacrifice and courage.
8. It is certain that mistakes will be made and it will be impossible to make the right calls at all times. So, while we expect you to live above board, it is also understood that as humans, there will always be imperfections in our endeavours. What is, however, expected is that you give your best at all times, conscious of the expectations of Abia people and of course, the importance of the assignments that you have been called into.
9. We made very specific promises to the people and we remain very committed to fulfilling them, within the limits of available resources. Our people are very understanding and from my experience in the last 13 months, they will never fail to appreciate an honest effort because that is all that they ask for. A few persons with political intentions may murmur or even wail but the people we have been called to serve have remained unwavering in their support for the simple reason that we are alive to our responsibilities as a government and they are discerning.
10. From improved urban sanitation to regular payment of salaries and pensions, responsive security and restoration of urban infrastructure, this Government has remained consistently faithful to its promises, ensuring that resources are efficiently channelled to meet governance objectives in very critical areas of need.
11. So far, our administration’s footprints have reached every LGA in the State and just on Thursday last week, 10, 000 nano and micro entrepreneurs from all the 184 wards in the State benefitted from our N1 billion revolving interest-free loans under the Abia State Cooperatives Support Scheme.
12. It is safe to say that we have remained fair in the allocation of resources to all parts of the State. We expect the appointees to also adopt the principle of fairness in all their engagements with Ndi Abia. You must resist the temptation to be parochial or provincial in the execution of the functions of our respective offices. You may have come from one community but as an official of the Abia State Government, your constituency is the whole of Abia.
13. As government functionaries, you must also be prepared to face opposition and criticisms, especially when you are doing the right thing. You have to remain firm and resolute. Do not change course if you are on the right path just because someone made false claims against you. You will ultimately be vindicated because a lie can run very fast, but only for a short time; truth will ultimately triumph.
14. Please note as a matter of fact that there is no room for infighting and bickering in the Government. Productive tension may arise from time to time but you must never let ego, pride or similar unproductive sentiments stand in the way of reason. Every day, every interaction, every disagreement is an opportunity to learn and become better. Refuse to be stiff-necked because the road ahead is still far.
15. We hope to start seeing remarkable institutional improvements as you settle down to business from today. Immerse yourself in the service of the people by working to achieve the governance objectives connected to your individual offices. Every sector, every office is very important and you have to make your mark through excellence. Do not forget that we are a result-oriented government so let your work speak for you. The era of lying and using the tool of deceitful propaganda to glamourize failure is long gone.
16. I will always be available to support and guide you, so please do not hesitate to call for help whenever it becomes necessary. I have no iota of doubt that you will be successful in this new assignment because you have proven to be goal-getters in your previous engagements. It bears repeating that there can be no greater assignment than being at the service of God’s own people. I wish you well.
17. Thank you for listening and may God bless you all.
Dr Alex C. Otti, OFR,
16/7/2024