Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has urged students of tertiary institutions across the state to uphold integrity, discipline, excellence and responsible leadership, describing these values as essential to building a sustainable and prosperous New Abia.
Governor Otti gave the charge on Tuesday, during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Abia State Tertiary Education Sports Fiesta, alongside the official unveiling of the New Abia Crusaders Club at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, said the future of Abia State rested largely on the character, leadership capacity and contributions of its young population.
He explained that the New Abia vision went beyond physical infrastructure and government projects to encompass human capital development, restoration of societal values, creation of opportunities and the preparation of young people for responsible leadership.
According to him, “The New Abia project is not just about roads, renovated schools, improved healthcare and infrastructure. It is fundamentally about building people, restoring values, creating opportunities and raising a generation that understands the importance of excellence, integrity and service.”
Describing the Sports Fiesta as more than a sporting competition, Otti said the event provided an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, intellectual abilities, energy and enormous potential of students across the state.
He noted that education remained one of the most important investments in the future of Abia, stressing that tertiary institutions should serve as centres of innovation, research, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and solutions to societal challenges.
“Our desire is to produce graduates who possess more than academic certificates; young people who can solve problems, innovate, create employment and become responsible citizens capable of competing anywhere in the world,” he stated.
On the establishment of the New Abia Crusaders Club, the Governor described it as a platform designed to develop leadership qualities, responsible citizenship, volunteerism, innovation and community service among students.
He urged the club’s leadership to introduce mentorship programmes, academic and innovation competitions, environmental initiatives and community development projects that would positively impact society.
Otti further challenged students to take responsibility for their personal development and become active contributors to the kind of society they wish to build.
“Leadership begins with the choices we make and the positive influence we exert in our various communities. I therefore encourage you to invest in yourselves, uphold your values and become active participants in building the society you desire,” he said.
He assured that his administration would continue to prioritise young people through policies and programmes aimed at improving access to quality education, promoting digital skills, encouraging innovation and expanding opportunities for productive employment and entrepreneurship.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme, described the New Abia Crusaders Club as an elite platform being established across federal, state and private tertiary institutions to promote responsible leadership, integrity, service and positive citizenship.
She explained that the initiative was designed to unite students from different institutions under a common vision of contributing to the development of Abia State.
“The New Abia Crusaders Club is designed to bring our young people together, irrespective of their institutions, and provide them with a common platform to promote integrity, responsible leadership and service to society,” she said.
She also highlighted the interventions of the Otti administration in the tertiary education sector, including infrastructural development, rehabilitation and upgrading of facilities, improved staff welfare, payment of inherited salary arrears and restoration of accreditation in some institutions.
According to her, these interventions had helped improve the environment for teaching, learning, research and innovation across the institutions.
The Commissioner emphasised the need for members of the Crusaders Club to remain informed, uphold positive values and demonstrate commitment to societal development, noting that the initiative would expose them to leadership training and prepare them for future responsibilities.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, described sports as an important tool for physical development, talent discovery, unity and the exploration of career opportunities among young people.
He said the Sports Fiesta was conceived to achieve more than sporting competition by giving students the opportunity to discover their abilities, develop their talents and explore career opportunities within the sports industry.
“Sports provide young people with opportunities to discover their talents, build discipline, promote unity and explore career pathways. This Sports Fiesta is therefore designed to achieve much more than winning medals,” Ananaba said.
He appreciated the executive committee and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for their support and constructive contributions towards the development of the initiative.
The Commissioner also commended his counterpart in the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme-Uche, heads of tertiary institutions and other stakeholders for their cooperation, urging participants to uphold discipline, fair play and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
Also speaking, the Founder and Pro-Chancellor of Lux Mundi University, Umuahia, Professor Gabriel Okenwa, who represented private universities in the state, commended Governor Otti for what he described as visionary leadership, particularly in infrastructure, education and human capital development.
Prof. Okenwa maintained that good governance deserved recognition irrespective of political differences, noting that the Sports Fiesta would encourage unity, discipline and excellence among students.
“Good governance should be appreciated irrespective of political affiliation. Initiatives such as this provide opportunities for young people to come together, build relationships and promote the values of unity, discipline and excellence,” he said.
He also recognised the contributions of the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, the Chairman of the Sports Fiesta, Chief Emeka Inyama, and members of the organising committee towards the success of the programme.
In his opening address, the Chairman of the Central Organising Committee and Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Education, Dr Emeka Enyiazu, said the fiesta had created a common platform for federal, state and private tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, to showcase their sporting talents.
He described the competition as an opportunity to break institutional barriers, identify emerging talents and prepare young athletes for national and international sporting competitions.
Enyiazu expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for supporting the initiative, while acknowledging the contributions of the Commissioners for Tertiary Education and Youth and Sports Development, heads of institutions, members of the organising committee and other stakeholders.
He urged participating athletes to demonstrate courage, respect their opponents and maintain the spirit of fair play and friendship throughout the competition.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Chinyere Okeziem-Nwoko, appreciated Governor Otti for his continued commitment to educational development, youth empowerment and sporting excellence in the state.
She also acknowledged the contributions of the two commissioners, the Central Organising Committee, heads of tertiary institutions, athletes, coaches, officials, security agencies and the media towards the successful organisation of the event.
Highlights of the ceremony included the official unveiling of the New Abia Crusaders Club, administration of oaths to athletes and officials, and a parade by athletes and representatives of participating tertiary institutions.