Former Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed confidence on the ability of Gov Alex Otti of Abia State, to reform and revitalize the state, saying that he has so far started well.
The former First Lady, who stopped by at Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, country home of the governor, on a courtesy visit, praised the Abia Governor for cleaning up the state and “freeing its streets of putrid stench”.
Mrs Jonathan observed that Abia before Otti’s assumption of power was littered with debris, saying that the governor’s interventions on this regard have been remarkable.
The former First Lady whose mother hailed from Ohuhu, Abia State, but married to Rivers State, described Otti as her brother and mentor.
“This is my home and I have come to visit my brother, my governor in whom I’m well pleased. He’s my mentor. When I was in government, he supported me as a brother. I have come to share experience with him and to tell him congratulations, well done.
“Abia is our home. Any time, any day he calls me, I will be there for him. He is doing very, very well. He started well and I know he will end well.
“You can see that there is no dirt again in Abia State. You can see all the road works going on. You can drive around and there is no dirt, no smell anywhere, you can breathe fresh air. That’s why I’m here to tell him, congratulations,” Mrs. Jonathan declared.
The governor in response, thanked the former First Lady for visiting and sharing her experience in government with him, adding, “I want to thank her for this visit and for the very kind words”.
Expressing his strong belief on the rapid renaissance of the state as well as the efforts so far made in putting it on the world’s economic map, Otti said, “we have just started and the sky is not even our limit. I’m very happy that she found time to visit with me. My prayer is that God will continue to keep her, her family and her husband”.
At the event was the House of Representatives member for Ikwuano, Umuahia North, Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Rep Obi Aguocha and some members of the Abia State Executive Council.