The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to raising a new generation of ethical, competent and innovative leaders capable of driving sustainable development in Abia State, Nigeria and beyond.

 

Governor Otti stated this on Sunday while declaring open the 2026 Abia State Leadership Academy Youth Leadership Bootcamp at Government College, Umuahia.

 

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, the Governor described the Abia State Leadership Academy as a strategic initiative designed to equip young Abians with the ethics, values, knowledge and practical leadership skills required to take up leadership responsibilities in the future.

 

According to him, the Academy is founded on the conviction that the future of Abia State depends significantly on the quality, character and preparedness of its young people.

 

“We are committed to getting it right with the younger generation. Otherwise, our wider development efforts will be in jeopardy,” Governor Otti said.

 

Declaring the bootcamp open on behalf of the Governor, Deputy Governor Emetu described the programme as a deliberate investment in the human capital of Abia State.

 

He noted that while governments are often assessed by the roads they construct, schools they build and hospitals they equip, developing people remains one of the most important investments any government can make.

 

“Governments are often judged by the roads they build, the schools they construct and the hospitals they equip. But one of the greatest investments any government can make is in its people. Through the Abia State Leadership Academy, our dear Governor is investing in the character, competence and leadership capacity of the next generation,” Emetu said.

 

The Deputy Governor congratulated the selected participants and urged them to approach the bootcamp with humility, discipline and an open mind.

 

He encouraged them to build meaningful relationships during the programme and apply the knowledge acquired to positively influence their schools, communities and the State.

 

Emetu further reminded the participants that their selection should be viewed not merely as an achievement but as the beginning of a greater responsibility.

 

“Your selection is only the beginning. I urge you to learn with humility, participate actively, build meaningful relationships and, most importantly, use what you learn to positively influence your schools, communities and our dear State,” he said.

 

The Deputy Governor disclosed that the 2026 edition of the bootcamp attracted 7,052 applications, out of which approximately 1,000 young Abians were selected.

 

He said the overwhelming response demonstrated the strong desire among young people in the State for personal development, leadership knowledge and meaningful opportunities to contribute to society.

 

According to him, the high level of participation also showed that Abia youths are willing to acquire the knowledge, skills and values necessary to make positive contributions to the development of the State and the country.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Facilitator of the Abia State Leadership Academy and Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pastor (Dr.) Eno Jerry-Eze, Dr. Ifeoma Agu welcomed the participants and urged them to take full advantage of the opportunity.

 

She said the bootcamp was designed to expose participants to the ideals of service, civic responsibility, value creation and excellence, while helping them discover their purpose and develop the focus required to compete effectively in an increasingly globalised world.

 

“This is an opportunity for you to imbibe the ideals of service, civic responsibility, value creation and excellence in life. I also urge you to relax and open up your mind so that you will soak in this life-changing experience that is designed to expose you to purpose and focus,” Dr. Agu said.

 

She expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for investing in the future of Abia youths, noting that the Academy would help unlock the creativity and leadership potential of the young participants.

 

Dr. Agu also challenged teachers, handlers and resource persons at the bootcamp to identify the individual strengths of the participants and help them develop their potential to the fullest.

 

Representing the Director of the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Dr. Uche Egbulam described the partnership with the Abia State Leadership Academy as a shared commitment to investing in young people and developing the next generation of leaders.

 

He said the future of any society was determined not merely by the resources beneath its soil but by the quality of leaders it develops.

 

Dr. Egbulam identified four key pillars of the bootcamp as Leadership and Service; Enterprise; Impact; and Innovation and Futures.

 

He stressed that leadership was fundamentally about responsibility, integrity, courage and service rather than titles or authority.

 

He challenged the participants to question assumptions, ask difficult questions, build meaningful relationships and embrace lifelong learning.

 

According to him, entrepreneurship should not be understood merely as starting a business but as the ability to identify problems, create value and improve lives.

 

Dr. Egbulam commended the Abia State Government for making youth development a strategic priority and reaffirmed the EDC’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote ethical leadership, resilient entrepreneurship and transformational institutions.

 

Responding on behalf of the participants, Obiora Chukwumere and Ogbonna Treasure expressed appreciation to Governor Otti, the Enterprise Development Centre and the leadership of the Abia State Leadership Academy for creating the platform for young Abians to develop into transformational leaders, innovators and changemakers.

 

They commended the arrangements put in place for the participants, including accommodation, nutrition, exercise, environmental hygiene and the support provided by the Academy’s staff.

 

According to them, the bootcamp had already begun exposing participants to critical leadership values such as integrity, discipline, empathy, innovation, problem-solving and civic responsibility.

 

They pledged that the participants would apply the knowledge and lessons acquired during the programme to become responsible leaders capable of contributing positively to Abia State, Nigeria and the wider world.

 

In his vote of thanks, the President of the Abia State Leadership Academy and immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, congratulated the participants on their successful selection.

 

Prof. Kalu disclosed that the Academy received 7,052 applications for the 2026 bootcamp, but only about 1,000 applicants could be accommodated after a rigorous selection process involving screening, NIN verification, interviews and Computer-Based Testing (CBT).

 

He reminded the participants that the true measure of the Academy would not be what happened during the bootcamp but what they did with the knowledge, values and relationships acquired after the programme.

 

He therefore challenged them to “think, reflect and become,” stressing that personal transformation and positive impact on society would ultimately determine whether the investment in the Academy achieved its intended purpose.

 

The 2026 Abia State Leadership Academy Youth Leadership Bootcamp is being implemented in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, with the Centre co-facilitating the programme alongside faculty members of the Abia State Leadership Academy.

 

Among dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole; Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche; Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Chinenye Mba Uzukwu; and other top government officials.