Today Thursday, July 24, 2025, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Magdalene Ugoanusi, led a transformative engagement in Isuikwuato Local Government Area through a one-day interactive forum themed “Changing the Narratives for Good Governance at the Local Government Level.” The event, organized by her office, attracted local government officials, traditional rulers, stakeholders, and key voices in governance, all gathered to refocus grassroots leadership toward accountability and development.
In her opening address, Hon. Ugoanusi stressed the importance of teamwork, mutual respect, and integrity in local administration. She emphasized that Governor Alex Otti’s model of governance is driven by transparency, discipline, and delivery. She urged council officers to key into the Governor’s vision for a New Abia by becoming responsible, value-driven leaders committed to timely and effective governance.
Delivering the keynote address on “The Need to Revolutionize Good Governance,” renowned political scientist and consultant, Mr. O.J. Bob Amanze, commended the Governor’s infrastructural strides and called on local governments to play a complementary role. He decried the culture of mismanagement in the past and proposed actionable solutions including aggressive road maintenance, establishment of small-scale industries, and meaningful community development projects.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Abia State Orientation Agency, Lady Ure Abazie, emphasized that the task of changing the narrative must be shared between the leaders and the people. She encouraged citizens to uphold values of cleanliness, discipline, and civic responsibility, which are critical for the new Abia being envisioned.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Arts, Culture and Digital Economy, Mrs. Matilda Anyamele, called on stakeholders to move beyond criticism of long-term policies and instead align with initiatives designed for sustainable progress.
Oh her part, Prof Ijeoma Iheukwumere, stressed the need for those at the grassrot to collaborate other levels of government to ensure development is in their domain.
In his vote of thanks, the Mayor of Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Ekeke, expressed appreciation to Hon. Ugoanusi and her team for the impactful initiative. He encouraged all participants to take the message back to the grassroots and turn words into action.
Dignitaries present at the event includes; A representative of Hon. Lucky Johnson, member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly; traditional rulers; and various officers from Isuikwuato Local Government.
