By CHARLES IWUOHA

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, says that leadership is stewardship and service to the people and not about acquiring wealth, advising those who have contrary opinion not to bother about aspiring to lead.

Governor Otti stated this on Sunday, 17th August, at St. Peter?s Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Umungasi Parish, Aba, during the 35th Anniversary Celebration of the existence of the Church Parish.

Addressing the excited congregation who were so happy having him worship and celebrate the anniversary with them, the Governor said, ?I listened attentively to his Eminence, and the major point he made today is that leadership is about service and the welfare of the people. A lot of times, we think it?s about the acquisition of wealth.

?I have insisted, and I will continue to insist that anybody who wants to lead must have something to put on the table and must be coming from somewhere. You can?t give what don?t have. And, if you don?t have a job, then leadership is not where to look for a job.

?You need to go and get a job. Do your job and prepare yourself for leadership. So that you can actually do what the man of God had said: ?Render service to your people?.

?In fact, I go further to say that, leadership is about stewardship and once you don?t understand it, once your goals are different; you need to be looking somewhere else,? Governor Otti stated.

Speaking further, he challenged the Church to protect good leadership whenever they see it, to avoid going back to Egypt. ?I just want to challenge the Church that we cannot sit idly by because it is also possible for us to sleep and go back to Egypt. It is possible. So, we need to rise up. It is not about me.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday by Otti?s Chief press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha and made available to journalists in Umuahia.

?What happens after me? Have you asked the question? People are talking about 2027. That?s not the issue. The issue is that, if you don?t protect what God has given you, the devil is very aggressive, but I know that, it will not be our portion in Abia State,? he asserted amidst resounding Amen and applause from the congregation.

?Anywhere that leadership has been gotten right, people protect it. And, what you gain is from glory to glory like the Presbyterians say it. So, it is for us to ensure that we grow from glory to glory,? Gov. Otti added.

The Governor promised to look into the challenges the Church encountered with the previous administration on the allocation of lands for their schools to understand what really happened and ensure that the right thing is done. He directed his Senior Special Assistant on Special duties to engage with the leadership of the Church and report back to him within 2 weeks.

He thanked the Church for their continued support and for bringing his administration into existence, saying that ?without you ? the people of God, maybe we won?t be here today. You allowed God to use you, and you have always allowed God to use you. God?s time is always the best.?

The State Chief Executive reassured the people that greater dividends of democracy are coming compared to what they have seen so far.

Earlier in his sermon, His Eminence, Ekpenyong Akpanika, Ph.D, the Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria said that Christianity is a call to service. He explained that God calls us to serve him through kindness, testimonies, financial support to the Church, and those we are better than.

??Dr. Akpanika said that, ?What immortalizes a man is what he does for others.? He noted that ?Greatness is not about possession but service to God and humanity.? He commended Governor Otti for being a good leader, evidenced in his service to the people of the State.

?The Church thanked the Governor for making out time, out of his busy schedule to come and celebrate with them in their 35th anniversary. They offered prayers for the Governor, his entourage, and the State. Governor Otti joined the Church in cutting the anniversary cake.

Governor Otti was joined in the worship by the Acting Chairman of the Labour Party in the State, Sir Emmanuel Nwaeze Oti, the Lawmaker Representing Aba Central State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Hon. Chibueze Nwokocha, Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Chidozie George, Senior Special Assistant on Transport, Dr. Obioma Nwaogbe, the Mayors of Aba North and Aba South Hon. Timothy Iheke and Hon Obialor Anyanwu among other top Government functionaries.

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