Anya-Ndi-Igbo Lauds Gov Otti For Honouring Uma Eleazu

Socio-political organisation Anya-Ndi-Igbo has showered praise on Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti for hosting a grand reception in honor of elder statesman and scholar Dr. Uma Oke Eleazu.

The event, held over the weekend at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, was a fulfilment of Governor Otti’s promise to celebrate Dr. Eleazu in his home state.

In a tribute released on Monday, Anya-Ndi-Igbo commended Governor Otti’s commitment to honoring accomplished Abians and his vision for good governance.

“What we are witnessing here today is fidelity in its most elegant form,” the group stated. “It is not often that political leaders keep faith to their promise… But Dr. Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, is a special breed of politician.”

The group highlighted that while Dr. Eleazu’s 95th birthday was initially celebrated in Lagos, with Governor Otti in attendance, the Umuahia reception represented a commitment fulfilled.

They described Otti as a “transcendental leader” and emphasized the shared vision between the governor and Dr. Eleazu for public integrity.

Anya-Ndi-Igbo noted that Governor Otti’s performance in less than three years has “vindicated the grand old man,” claiming that “Abia has witnessed more development in the less than three years of Otti’s stewardship than in the 24 years that preceded his governorship.”

They quoted Dr. Eleazu from a June 2025 interview with TheNiche, where he praised Otti’s leadership and prudent use of public funds.

The tribute also lauded Dr. Eleazu’s lifelong dedication to integrity, patriotism, and humility. Describing him as “an oasis of moral rectitude,” Anya-Ndi-Igbo celebrated his intellectual brilliance and lifelong pursuit of knowledge, tracing his journey from a Methodist catechist’s son to a globally accomplished scholar with degrees from prestigious universities.

The organization highlighted Dr. Eleazu’s contributions to Nigeria after the civil war, both in the public and private sectors, and his commitment to mentoring future leaders.

They referenced his book, “Nigeria, As I See It: Reflections on the Challenge of Leadership,” where he expressed concerns about the nation’s trajectory and the need for responsible leadership.

Anya-Ndi-Igbo underscored Dr. Eleazu’s deep commitment to the development of Alaigbo and his role in founding the organisation itself, which is dedicated to equity, peace, unity, justice, and progress in Nigeria.

The tribute concluded by hailing Dr. Eleazu as “a national treasure, an encyclopaedia of sorts and conscience of the nation.”

Anya-Ndi-Igbo offered their felicitations to their chairman and prayed for his continued good health.