Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to advance climate change initiatives in the state. The Governor gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Change (FCDO-PAGE) at the Government House, Umuahia.
Governor Otti described the partnership with climate experts such as FCDO-PAGE as a step in the right direction, emphasizing that it would help generate practical solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. He noted that his team would carefully evaluate recommendations and design effective, evidence-based interventions.
“What we are doing is the right direction. We will sit down, study, understand it, and then come up with solutions,” he stated.
Highlighting the core principles of his administration—strategic planning, disciplined execution, and measurable outcomes—Governor Otti reaffirmed his government’s commitment to good governance and sustainability. He lamented Nigeria’s historical failure to implement forward-thinking policy frameworks, despite having access to brilliant minds and well-crafted documents dating back to the 1960s and 1970s.
He called for the establishment of long-term structures to ensure sustainability and efficiency, particularly in managing the transition to renewable energy. The Governor also expressed concern about unregulated industrial and economic activities in the private sector, which he said significantly contribute to environmental degradation.
In his remarks, the Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, praised the Governor’s proactive stance on climate issues. He revealed that under Governor Otti’s leadership, the state created a dedicated Climate Change Department and has conducted statewide stakeholder engagements on climate matters.
He further disclosed that Abia now ranks 8th out of Nigeria’s 36 states in climate change initiatives. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has also selected Abia for an award in circular economy innovation. Additionally, the state has participated in global climate forums and is preparing for another major event in Germany.
Earlier, the National Team Lead of FCDO-PAGE, Mr. Ifeanyi Peters Ugwuoke, described the programme as a UK Government-backed initiative operating at the intersection of governance reform and climate change response. He outlined key areas for collaboration with Abia, including climate finance readiness, green budgeting, and policy alignment.
Mr. Ugwuoke commended Governor Otti for his transparent leadership and commitment to sustainable development, noting that his achievements over the past two years align with international best practices.
The Governor’s Special Assistant on Climate Change and Sustainability, Ms. Esther Chioma Ajah, was also present and received praise from both the Governor and the FCDO-PAGE delegation for her contributions to the state’s climate agenda.
