ABIA – The Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, says the visit of the Course 34 Participants of the National Defence College, Abuja, to the State will further reinforce National Unity and strengthen the bond between Civilian and Military Institutions.
Speaking at a Dinner held in honour of the Team at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia, Dr. Otti described the theme of the one-week tour, “Harnessing the Industrial and Economic Potentials of Abia State for National Security and Development in Nigeria,” as timely and relevant.
The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, noted that the Military, overtime has been perceived primarily as a force for combat but has evolved into a more Professional Institution that plays a strategic role in Research, Policy and National Development.
The State Chief Executive noted that by begining to interrogate the linkage between resource endowments, resource utilisation, national economic growth and the effect on national development and security, the National Defence College is playing a key role in dealing with insecurity in Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan Africa.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that will promote National Growth and enhanced collaboration between States, Institutions and Security Agencies even as he expressed the hope that the experience as well as knowledge gained would help them articulate workable solutions capable of forming policies and programmes that can drive meaningful development and reduce crime.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd), expressed confidence that the objectives of the tour had been achieved and thanked the Participants for honouring the Dinner invitation.
In his speech earlier, the Team Leader, Air Commodore Immanuel Nansoh, thanked the Governor and the people of the State for their hospitality and exemplary leadership, assuring that the knowledge gathered during the Tour would be deployed in support of National Development and Security.
He thanked the State Governor particularly for the level of transformation on going in Abia state and described it as unprecedented. This level of development according to Air Commodore Nansoh will no doubt drive development and reduce insecurity. He noted that their stay in the state has been very enriching and has armed them with enough information and data to make worthy contribution to national growth and security.
In his remarks, one of the Participants, Colonel Olabode Towobola, said the team enjoyed their stay in the State and praised Governor Otti for the ongoing transformation across the State.
The event attracted the presence of the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, Commissioners, the Commandant of the Nigeria Navy School of Accountancy & Administration Owerrinta, Navy Commodore Tunde Quadri, members of the course 34 Nigeria Defence College, appointees of the Governor, Permanent Secretaries, and other top Government Officials.
