Hon. Ugoanusi Takes Changing the Narrative Campaign to Arochukwu, Calls for Collaborative Governance at All Levels
The Senior Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Magdalene Egondu Ugoanusi, has taken her Changing the Narrative campaign to Arochukwu Local Government Area with a strong call for unity of purpose, transparency, and transformational leadership across all levels of government.
Hon. Ugoanusi while speaking to at the well attended event said, it’s time for a decisive shift in the way local governments in Abia operate — moving from business-as-usual to a people-centered approach anchored on openness, integrity, and tangible results. She stressed that the process must involve active citizen participation in decision-making, efficient resource allocation, and the consistent projection of positive achievements at the grassroots.
According to her, open communication is key to bridging the gap between government and the governed. She likened governance to a mentoring process where elders and experienced leaders take deliberate steps to groom the younger generation, instilling moral character, intellectual discipline, and entrepreneurial skills. Leadership, she said, must go beyond management to become a transformative influence, pointing to Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, as an example of a leader whose dedication, inclusiveness, and commitment to the common good embody this principle.
She lamented the current erosion of societal values, noting that acts that once drew shame and condemnation are now brazenly celebrated. She called for a restoration of integrity and moral compass, and urged leaders to empower youths so they are not lost to drugs, crime, and moral decay. “If we do not confront the issues with our youth, we risk raising a generation that no longer knows the difference between right and wrong,” she warned.
The event also featured contributions from key stakeholders, each underscoring aspects of the change agenda.
Esv. Dr. Iroy Orji, Commissioner in the Abia State Civil Service Commission who also the keynote speaker, called for reflective leadership at the grassroots. He urged local government chairmen, councillors, and senior officials to constantly evaluate the quality of services they deliver by asking themselves whether they would be satisfied if they were on the receiving end.
“Leadership must be empathetic; it must fee the pulse of the people,” he said.
Mazi Ogbonnaya Okereke, General Manager of ASEPA, said changing the narrative starts with personal responsibility. He challenged leaders at all levels to ensure their actions directly translate into meaningful benefits for the people, adding that every position of authority should be used as a platform for positive impact rather than personal gain.
Rev. Dr. Annie Onu, Executive Secretary of the Abia Diaspora Commission, stressed the need for virtues such as respect, integrity, honesty, and teamwork in public service. She said that without these core values, even the most ambitious development plans would collapse, because governance is ultimately about trust between leaders and the people.
Chinwe Kanu Uba, Special Assistant on SMEs and Investments, spoke on attitudinal change, urging grassroots officials to place public good above personal interests. She emphasized that replicating the governor’s vision at the local level requires selflessness, discipline, and the courage to make decisions that may not be popular but are in the community’s long-term interest.
Chibuzor Elizabeth Chijioke, Special Assistant on Science, Technology, and Innovation, advocated the integration of modern technology into local government operations. She explained that the use of digital tools could enhance transparency, track projects more effectively, and ensure that services reach the intended beneficiaries promptly.
In his remarks, the Mayor of Arochukwu LGA, Hon. Dr. Chibuike Ezearu, thanked Hon. Ugoanusi for what he described as “a timely and thought-provoking engagement.” He revealed that his council had already adopted some of the principles discussed, but pledged to expand on them to ensure a stronger, more transparent, and more responsive governance system in Arochukwu.
The Changing the Narrative campaign is part of the Abia State Government’s broader drive to reposition local governments as engines of development and restore public confidence in grassroots governance through the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
