“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” — Proverbs 29:2
There are moments when the wisdom of Scripture finds a striking expression in the realities of society. Proverbs 29:2 is one such passage. It reminds us that leadership is not merely about occupying an office; it is about using the authority entrusted to you to improve the lives of the people.
When leaders govern with integrity, courage, wisdom and a genuine sense of responsibility, the people feel the difference. They see it in the roads they travel, the hospitals they use, the schools their children attend, the opportunities available to them and, most importantly, in the renewed hope that their government truly cares about their welfare.
This is the story that is gradually unfolding in Abia State under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.
Governor Otti came into office with a clear determination to change the narrative of governance in Abia. His administration has focused attention on critical infrastructure, road construction, healthcare, education, transportation, economic development and institutional reforms. Across the state, projects that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of the people are receiving renewed attention.
The Governor’s Sunday outing at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Umuogor, in Aba South Local Government Area, provided yet another example of how governance, service and personal faith can intersect. During the thanksgiving Mass, Governor Otti approved the reconstruction of Uratta and Old Express Roads and the construction of Umuebeke Road, off Port Harcourt Road, all in the Aba corridor. The flag-off ceremonies are expected to take place in October.
The decision, according to the Governor, is aimed at easing the difficulties faced by residents and businesses in the area and further improving infrastructure in Aba, the commercial hub of the state. It is another indication that the administration is determined to take development to different parts of the state and make the government felt in the everyday lives of the people.
Beyond the road projects, however, the Governor’s conduct and remarks at the church also offered a glimpse into his God-fearing disposition. Drawing from the homily delivered by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Brendan Obiji, on “Forgiveness as Key to Progress and National Healing,” Governor Otti spoke about the need for people to forgive, forget and move on.
His words were particularly revealing and spiritual. “Our life is ordained by God. Sometimes, God uses those who offend us to teach us lessons or prepare us for the future. If we hold on to grievances, God may not forgive us. Forgiveness is key. Some of us may not be here today if we had not forgiven. We must forgive, forget and move on,” he said.
For a leader entrusted with the affairs of a state, such a disposition speaks to the importance of humility, reconciliation and a recognition that public service is ultimately a responsibility before God and the people.
The significance of the New Abia project therefore goes beyond physical structures. It is also about restoring confidence in government and giving Ndi Abia a renewed sense of hope and pride in their state.
For years, many Abians longed for a government that would place the people’s interest above personal and political considerations. Today, the emphasis on transparency, accountability, prudent management of public resources and visible development is helping to redefine the relationship between government and the governed.
This is why Proverbs 29:2 resonates so deeply with the Abia experience. When the government works, the people rejoice. When roads become motorable, businesses flourish. When hospitals improve, lives are better protected. When schools receive attention, the future becomes brighter. When the economy expands and opportunities increase, families have greater reasons to hope.
The approval of more road projects, even as several others are ongoing across the state, further demonstrates the administration’s determination to address Abia’s longstanding infrastructure deficit. From Aba to Umuahia and other parts of the state, the focus remains on projects that have a direct impact on the people and the economy.
The essence of leadership is therefore not in the title attached to an office but in the positive difference made in the lives of the people.
As Governor Alex Otti continues to pursue the transformation of Abia, his faith, his sense of responsibility and his commitment to development provide a practical context for the words of Scripture. Leadership is most meaningful when it brings hope to the people, improves their welfare and leaves society better than it was found.
Indeed, when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.
Ebere Uzoukwa, PhD
SSA to the Governor
(Public Affairs)
