Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has ordered the immediate rehabilitation of Ibeama Primary School, Ndume Otuka, the alma mater of Nigeria’s former Head of State, the late General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, while also directing that the road leading to the late military leader’s residence be assessed for reconstruction.
Governor Otti gave the directive on Saturday, July 11, 2026, during a civic reception held in honour of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini, at Ibeama Primary School in Ndume, Umuahia North Local Government Area.
Responding to requests presented by leaders of the Ndume Otuka community, Otti said his administration would immediately address the condition of both the school and the access road to General Ironsi’s residence.
“We have taken notes of the request that was made by the elder statesman,” the governor said.
On the community road, Otti directed the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti, to inspect the project and submit a report.
“The first one is the road that leads to General Ironsi’s house. I will detail the Commissioner for Works to go and have a look and come back to me,” he stated.
The governor also ordered the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) to commence the process of rehabilitating the historic primary school without delay.
“The second one is about the school. We are carrying out a comprehensive rehabilitation of all the schools in the State. And I believe that this is not left out. The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board is here.
“So, she is hereby given an instruction to come back here by Monday and begin to look at how we will fast track the rehabilitation of the school,” Otti said.
He noted that the rehabilitation forms part of his administration’s ongoing programme to upgrade public schools across the 17 local government areas of Abia State.
Governor Otti also thanked the people for their continued support and confidence in his administration, particularly their pledge to back him and all Labour Party candidates in the 2027 general elections.
“I would like to say thank you for coming, thank you for the support you are giving this government.
“Our promise to you is that we shall not stop, nothing will stop us. And with your promise to support all of us for the next election, all we want to say is thank you,” he said.
The governor further commended the people of Umuahia East State Constituency for organising a thanksgiving service in honour of their representative, describing gratitude to God as a virtue worthy of emulation.
Earlier, the President-General of Ndume Otuka Development Union, Deacon Okezie Onyemauwa, and community elder, Elder Chimezie Ndukwe, praised Otti for what they described as remarkable developmental strides across the state.
The community leaders said the governor’s people-centred policies had restored hope among residents and pledged their continued support for his administration and re-election bid in 2027.
They also appealed to the governor to rehabilitate the road leading to the late General Aguiyi-Ironsi’s residence and restore the primary school he attended.
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini thanked Governor Otti for attending the event despite his busy schedule, describing the visit as a demonstration of the governor’s commitment to the people.
He noted that many of those who organised the reception were political opponents before the 2023 elections but had since embraced Otti’s leadership because of what he described as the governor’s transformational achievements.
“The reason for their support to the Governor was because of the transformational leadership he has brought to Abia,” Nmeregini said, urging continued support for the administration.
Also speaking, Chairman of Kingsuo Global Maritime Limited and chief host of the event, Chief Kingsley Amaechi Offor, applauded Governor Otti for what he described as his transformative leadership, while assuring him of the constituency’s support in the 2027 elections.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Abia Central Senatorial candidate Senator Darlington Nwokocha, House of Representatives member Rt. Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, Secretary to the State Government Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, members of the State Executive Council and other political stakeholders.
