Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria / Osita Chidoka Media
Abia at 35: How Kalu Gave Abia a National Voice — Chidoka
Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, says Abia State enjoyed its most politically visible years under former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, noting that the state “punched above its weight” during that era.

Chidoka spoke as Guest Speaker at the 35th anniversary celebration of the creation of Abia State in Umuahia.

According to him, Kalu, who governed Abia from 1999 to 2007, understood the political challenges facing Abia and the South East at the start of the Fourth Republic and provided young, assertive leadership that put the state firmly in national discourse.
“At the beginning of the Fourth Republic, the South East was searching for voice and relevance in the new democratic order. Orji Uzor Kalu understood that moment. Young, assertive and politically visible, he put Abia firmly in the national conversation. Abia punched above its weight,” Chidoka said.
He noted that Kalu was one of the most visible governors of that period, frequently intervening on national issues, a move that helped project Abia and South East interests.

Chidoka however said the momentum was lost after Kalu left office, with infrastructure declining and the state’s national influence shrinking. He said Aba, the commercial hub, appeared to succeed despite government, not because of it.

He said the current administration of Governor Alex Otti has recognised the need to rebuild.
“Alex Otti appears to have understood this one: a moment to restore confidence in government, rebuild infrastructure and recover Abia’s sense of possibility,” he added.
Using Abia’s history to make a broader point on governance, Chidoka argued that societies need strong leaders to build strong institutions.
“We often say Africa needs strong institutions, not strong men. But who creates strong institutions when the institutions themselves are weak? Before there were the Ten Commandments, there was Moses.”
He differentiated between a strongman and a strong leader, saying: “The strongman makes himself indispensable. The strong leader builds a system that can eventually work without him.”

He concluded by challenging the state to make the current renewal permanent, asking: “Can the present Abia moment become the permanent Abia standard?”

Kalu currently represents Abia North Senatorial District in the Senate.
Source: The Sun Nigeria