Bishop Echema: Otti’s Works Will Campaign for Him

The Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Ndubueze Echema, has described Abia State Governor, Dr Alex C. Otti, as a leader with integrity, saying his achievements will speak for him as he seeks re-election in 2027.

Bishop Echema made the remarks on Sunday at Christ the King Cathedral, Asa Road, Aba, Abia State, while welcoming Governor Otti, Catholic bishops, priests, faithful and other guests to a celebration marking his 40th anniversary as a Catholic priest.

The Bishop thanked the governor for his decision to build a retirement home for priests in the Aba Diocese, saying he had raised the need with him less than three months earlier.

He said: “Let me go to our amiable Governor. It is not up to three months we invited you here and then we cornered you and presented our need.

“I mentioned that day that I am dealing with a Governor with integrity. And I have no fear of any contradiction to repeat it here. We are dealing with a man with integrity. If you are in doubt, you go to Aba. He is a man of integrity.

“I am telling you, Governor, I have said it before, I am not campaigning for you and I don’t need to campaign for you. The work that you have done so far will campaign for you.

“You will continue to go higher and higher and I know you will do it, building the retirement home. Thank you so very much. I’m sure the priests are very happy. You have taken down our heavy load. There are so many things to do. So, thank you for this wonderful gesture.”

Bishop Echema also thanked God for what he described as His grace over his life and ministry during the past 40 years, while appreciating the governor, bishops, reverend fathers and Catholic faithful for joining him in the celebration.

In his response, Governor Otti congratulated Bishop Echema on his 40th priestly anniversary and prayed for God’s continued blessings and sustenance.

The governor described the bishop as “a rare gift to Nigeria” and thanked God for sustaining him throughout his four decades of priestly service.

Governor Otti said he was aware of the bishop’s desire to establish a retirement home for priests, bishops, reverend fathers and, potentially, religious sisters, and announced that the project would be funded privately rather than with government resources.

“We are very happy that our Father has clocked 40 years in this service and it is a rare privilege to do 40 years. We thank God that he has good health. So that is the grace of God,” Governor Otti said.

“I pray that God will keep him because he is a rare gift to Nigeria. We want to thank God for his life and it is our prayer that He will continue to keep him. This is the least he can ever be.

“I know that there is something that the Bishop has so much passion for. He called me sometime and said, ‘this is what I want to do.’ That is a retirement home for priests, bishops, reverend fathers, and I believe sisters too.

“We want to take that problem off you. We will fund it. So, work will start very soon.”

Governor Otti explained that the project would be financed by the Alex Otti Foundation, Unubiko Foundation, Ide John Udeagbara Foundation and other private individuals, stressing that it would not be funded by the Abia State Government.

He said the project would be executed “to our standard”.

The governor also used the occasion to inform residents that construction work at the Abia Airport in Nsulu had progressed significantly, particularly on the runway, which he said would soon be completed.

Those who attended the anniversary celebration included the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa; members of the Abia State House of Assembly; mayors; members of the State Executive Council; senior government appointees; the Archbishop of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji; bishops from across Nigeria; and friends of the governor, including Chief James Ume, Ike Abam.