Politics

GOV OTTI SAYS ABIA WILL LEVERAGE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO GROW ECONOMY

Published

1 year ago

May 15, 2024

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, says his administration is passionate about taking advantage of the opportunities provided by digital technology in managing the state’s economy.

Governor Otti stated this on Monday while addressing participants of Study Group 7, Senior Executive Course 46 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru Jos, who are on study tour and fact-finding mission to Abia state.

The Governor, who commended the participants for the choice of Abia for the tour, described the study theme: ‘Digital Economy,Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’, as key, noting that any organisation that fails to key into the digital space will be left behind.

“In a few days, we will be one year in office, so the things we have in stock, we’re just unfolding them. Somehow, I feel we’re at the dress rehearsal stages. We’re still at building stage in terms of digital economy, I can assure you that by the time you come back to the State in about one or two years, you will see that all the work we’re doing behind the scene would have been rolled out and our people will begin to leverage on digital technology to push the economy,” he said.

According to the Governor, the State Government is making concerted effort to make its workforce adjust to the trends in the digital age.

“We are preparing our workforce to embrace digital economy. I can tell you that our workforce is geared towards digital economy and all the opportunities that it presents,” the Governor told his visitors.

Governor Otti said that the Government was working to establish an innovation hub, digital hub, and the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park, saying that Abia has keyed into the 3 Million Technical Talent (3TTM) agenda of the Federal Government.

He noted that the world now dwells more on artificial intelligence, robotics, electric vehicles, driverless cars among other technologies, adding that the study theme aligns with his initiatives as he had upon assumption of office created the Ministry of Digital Economy and SMEs.

“There are a lot of businesses that I look at today and in my own little understanding, I can see that these businesses are threatened. We are now in the world of artificial intelligence, the world of robotics, electric vehicles, driverless cars, and those technologies generally. You will just find out that those old ways of doing things will soon give way.

“I believe that this study tour will expose you to a whole lot of new things and I want to thank you once again for the choice of Abia. Relax and enjoy the hospitality of this state. We take the issue of security serious here, entertain no fear. We do not tolerate crime and criminality and we have also demonstrated that if you commit any crime here, we will get you within 36 hours using a combination of sophisticated technology and intelligence,” Governor Otti stated.

In his remarks earlier, the team lead, Brigadier General L. A. Jimoh, said the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) was established by the administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1979, as a high-level institution and foremost think tank to provide and proffer solutions to burning issues for the overall well-being and progress of the country.

He noted that the Institute had the mandate to develop a crop of top-class leaders of intellectual capacity, annually, to attend to the challenges across all strata of development.

“Every year, Mr. President tasks NIPSS to conduct research on a topical issue and submit Report to Government later in the year in a forum called, ‘The Presidential Parley’. This year’s theme for the SEC 46, 2024 is: ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.

“Abia State is considered critical to our theme this year and also because of its contributions to the economic agenda of the country. Your State is known for its rich arts and culture, vast human resources, technology, industry and unmatched records for talents in almost all areas of life. All these have direct relationship with digital economy, youth empowerment and sustainable job creation which is our theme”.Brig. General Jimoh explained.

He described Abia as crucial to the realisation of the objective of the group which is a good Presidential Parley Report as Abia is involved in massive investment in human capital development, investment in electricity, a critical requirement for a digital economy, massive infrastructural development as well as the health sector.

The visit provided the participants the opportunity to interact with Governor Otti and asked him questions on various issues pertaining to his experience in office in the last 11 months.

KAZIE UKO
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Abia State
Government House, Umuahia
May 14, 2024

Politics

Natasha: Akpabio’s aide petitions IGP over alleged hacking of account, defamation

Published

8 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Former Delta State Commissioner and Special Adviser on Communications/Strategy to the President of the Senate, Mr. Kenny Okolugbo, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, calling for an urgent investigation into what he described as a coordinated cyberattack and defamation campaign targeted at destroying his credibility and misleading the public.

In the petition, Okolugbo alleged that his verified social media account on X was hacked and used to publish damaging statements falsely attributed to him.

The fabricated content, he claims, was then amplified by three popular social media influencers, Tunde Ednut (@mazitundeednut), Rufai Oseni (@ruffydfire), and Adeola Fayehun (@adeolafayehun), who, according to him, embellished the post with additional falsehoods, including allegations of phone cloning, voice manipulation, and fictitious meetings in London.

“These allegations are not only untrue but impossible based on verified evidence,” he wrote.

“Most disturbing is that the fabricated post was simultaneously circulated and embellished by these influencers using identical language and coordinated timing, pointing to a syndicated disinformation campaign,” he added.

Okolugbo alleged that the campaign was orchestrated to lend undue credibility to allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan.

He emphasized that the false narratives promoted online were not contained in the original hacked post, showing that it was indeed orchestrated, suggesting deliberate malice and manipulation aimed at tarnishing his public image.

As part of his plea to the Nigeria Police Force, Okolugbo requested the following actions:

“A full-scale investigation into the hacking and impersonation of his verified social media account, citing violations under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015;

“Identification and prosecution of individuals responsible for the forgery, defamation, and spread of malicious content;

“Preservation of all relevant digital evidence from social media platforms and third-party service providers for forensic analysis.”

He noted that the matter was of significant public interest and personal concern, urging the Police Force to act “swiftly and decisively.”

Okolugbo also disclosed that he had enclosed his travel documents showing he has not visited London or anywhere outside Nigeria as alleged this year 2025 and the last time he was in London was 5th November 2024 and had no meetings in London, printouts of the alleged defamatory and manipulated posts to support his claims and provide context for investigators.

The Nigeria Police Force is yet to issue a formal response to the petition as of the time of this report.

Politics

Tinubu Signs Kalu’s Bills Establishing 3 Tertiary Institutions in Abia, Imo into Law

Published

12 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law three bills sponsored by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, establishing Federal College of Education, Bende, Abia State; Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Item Bende, Abia State, and Federal University Okigwe, Imo State.

The institutions aim to provide quality education, research opportunities, and cater to the educational needs of the South East region

Kalu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for signing the bills into law, he urged the people of the South East people to continue supporting the Tinubu-led government, promising more democracy dividends.

Politics

Expose June 12 conspirators or face legal action – SERAP to Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged President Bola Tinubu to back up his Democracy Day rhetoric with defensive action by addressing the lingering injustices in Nigeria’s democratic history, especially, the landmark June 12, 1993 presidential election.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday, signed by the group’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare.

SERAP urged President Tinubu to set up a presidential panel of inquiry to investigate the annulment of the election on June 12 and uncover those who are behind what is described as the “deliberate violations of Nigerians democratic freedoms.”

The organization stated that not minding the political position of individuals found responsible, they should be brought to justice through Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

SERAP also urged the president to instruct Fagbemi to urgently draft and present an executive bill to the National Assembly seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022, specifically to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory and grant all voters access to election documents.

The group argued that this would enhance electoral transparency, prevent manipulation, and help restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

The organisation called on the president to immediately halt all prosecutions and drop charges against Nigerians currently detained or facing trial simply for exercising their rights to peaceful protest and free expression.

“Your Democracy Day speech conveyed a commitment to freedom, transparent and accountable governance, and social justice,” the letter stated.

“However, such commitments will ring hollow unless your government takes concrete action to end impunity for past violations, enforce electoral reforms, and guarantee democratic freedoms.”

SERAP emphasised that there is no statute of limitations on violations of democratic rights, and that achieving the ideals of June 12 is impossible without accountability and systemic reforms.

It warned that the failure to prosecute those responsible for the June 12 annulment has entrenched a culture of impunity, encouraging continued subversion of elections and political rights in Nigeria.

“Amending the Electoral Act to mandate electronic transmission of results and ensuring open access to electoral documents are essential to delivering credible elections,” the group stated. “It will also allow voters to verify the integrity of electoral outcomes.”

The organisation also demanded a review of laws undermining freedom of expression.

It asked the president to push for the repeal or amendment of repressive statutes, including the Cybercrimes Act and criminal defamation and falsehood laws in the Criminal and Penal Codes, which have been used to silence journalists, critics, and dissenters.

SERAP raised concern over the growing trend of strategic lawsuits against public participation, noting that the legal tactics, often backed by politicians and security agencies are being used to harass and intimidate Nigerians peacefully expressing their views.

“Your administration’s obligation under the Constitution, your oath of office, and Nigeria’s international human rights commitments requires you to dismantle structures of repression and safeguard democratic freedoms,” SERAP wrote.

The group gave the president a seven-day deadline to begin implementing its recommendations, failing which it vowed to initiate legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.

While acknowledging the president’s recent pledges to deepen democracy and expand civic space, SERAP insisted that only concrete reforms, not lofty speeches, can truly honour the legacy of June 12 and move Nigeria towards a just and free society.