Cleric Praises Otti Over Integrity In Governance

Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Echema, says Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has shown integrity in governance and that his achievements will speak for him in 2027.

The cleric stated this during his 40th priestly anniversary at Christ the King Cathedral, Aba.

Echema said he had no fear of having his assessment of the governor contradicted.

According to him, “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 (Otti), I have said it before, I am not campaigning for you and I don’t need to do that.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 our heavy load down. There are so many things to do. So, thank you for this wonderful gesture,” he said.

While thanking God for His grace upon his life and ministry over the period, the cleric appriciated Otti, the clergy and members of the church who came to celebrate with him.

In his speech, Otti, who described Echema as a rare gift to Nigeria, thanked God for His grace upon him over the past 40 years and prayed that God would continue to sustain him.

The govrnor said the bishop had informed him of the need to build a retirement home for Catholic priests in the diocese.

He said he and his friends, including the chairman of the Unubiko Foundation, Chief James Ume, Ide John Udeagbara Foundation, and others, decided to execute the project at no cost to the government. ‎ ‎

The governor noted: “We are very happy that our father has clocked 40 years in this service, and it is a rare privilege to do that. We thank God for his good health. ‎ ‎

“So that is the grace of God. If you know his story, you will know there are many reasons for that. 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 there is something the bishop is very passionate about. ‎ ‎”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.” ‎