By Steve Oko
UMUAHIA — Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grooming a new generation of ethical and transformational leaders, declaring that the future of Abia’s development depends on investing in young people.
The governor spoke on Sunday while declaring open the 2026 Youth Leadership Bootcamp of the Abia State Leadership Academy at Government College Umuahia, where he revealed that only 1,000 applicants were admitted from over 7,000 youths who sought participation in the programme.
Represented by Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Otti described the academy as a strategic institution established to build character, ethics and practical leadership capacity among young Abians
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“The Abia State Leadership Academy is not a routine training centre. It is a strategic institution built to instil ethics, values and practical leadership skills in our young people. We are committed to getting it right with the younger generation; otherwise, our wider development efforts will be in jeopardy,” he said.
He said the overwhelming number of applicants reflected the desire of young people for genuine transformation and confidence in his administration’s vision.
According to him, the state partnered the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University for this year’s bootcamp to expose participants to global best practices in leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation.
He urged the participants to embrace the opportunity with humility, build meaningful relationships and apply the knowledge acquired to transform their communities and the state.
Earlier, Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pastor Mrs. Eno Jerry-Eze, represented by Rev. Mrs. Ifeoma Agu, described the bootcamp as an opportunity to instil civic responsibility and leadership values in the youths, urging participants to become the positive change they desire.
In a keynote lecture titled “The Demands of Stewardship,” the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, described the Leadership Academy as one of Otti’s most enduring legacies, saying the initiative was deliberately designed to produce principled, disciplined and transformational leaders.
He said by investing in the character and leadership capacity of teenagers and young people, the Governor was laying a solid foundation for sustainable development and ensuring that integrity, innovation and selfless public service remain enduring values in Abia.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr. Uche Egbuna, represented at the event, said leadership is fundamentally about responsibility, integrity and service.
He explained that the bootcamp curriculum is built around four pillars—leadership and service, enterprise, innovation and impact—to equip participants as problem-solvers and future change-makers.
President of the Abia State Leadership Academy, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, disclosed that 7,052 applications were received for the programme, with just over 1,000 candidates emerging successful after a rigorous selection process.
He challenged participants to focus not merely on completing the programme but on becoming leaders capable of making lasting contributions to society.
Responding on behalf of the participants, Chukwuemerie Obiorah and Treasure Ogbonna thanked Governor Otti for the opportunity and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them by becoming responsible and transformational leaders.
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