Otti’s Projects Will Campaign for Him, Catholic Bishop Echema Says

The Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Echema, has described Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, as a man of integrity, saying the governor’s achievements would speak for him as he seeks re-election in 2027.

Bishop Echema stated this on Sunday at Christ the King Catholic (CKC) Cathedral Aba, during a thanksgiving Mass marking his 40th anniversary of priestly ordination.

The bishop, who expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for responding to the church’s request for the construction of a retirement home for priests, said his interaction with the governor had convinced him of his integrity.

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

“I mentioned that day that I am dealing with the 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. thank you for this wonderful gesture”, Bishop Echema said.

The bishop also thanked God for His grace upon his life and ministry over the past four decades and appreciated Governor Otti, fellow bishops, priests and the Catholic faithful for joining him in marking the milestone.

In his remarks, Governor Otti congratulated Echema on his 40th priestly anniversary and prayed God to continue to strengthen and preserve him.

The governor described the Catholic bishop as “a rare gift to Nigeria”, noting that his 40 years of priestly service represents a remarkable testimony to God’s grace.

“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. If you know his story, you will know that there is a lot of 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”, Governor Otti said.

The governor disclosed that Bishop Echema had earlier approached him over the need for a retirement home for Catholic priests, bishops, reverend fathers and religious sisters.

Governor Otti said he and some private individuals and foundations had decided to fund the project, stressing that no government funds would be used for its construction.

“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. And I know it’s not government’s fund. It’s from Alex Otti Foundation, Unubiko Foundation, Ide Udeagbara Foundation and private concerns.

“it’s not a government thing. We will do it to our standard”, the governor stated.

Governor Otti also used the occasion to give an update on the development of the Abia Airport at Nsulu.

The Governor disclosed that construction work has progressed significantly, particularly on the runway adding that work on the runway would soon be completed.

Members of the Abia State Executive Council, the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, bishops from across the country, priests and other dignitaries attended the anniversary celebration.

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