It took Geometric Power 20 years to produce its first electricity, so my brother, Governor Peter Mbah, does not have to spend another 20 years to generate power in Enugu. We can expand Geometric Power to Enugu; all we need to do is build additional gas turbines and wheel power to other states in the region.”
Those were the words of Governor Alex Otti yesterday at the South-East Vision 2050 Stakeholders Forum.
To understand Alex Otti is to understand a man who is multifaceted in providing solutions, especially where governance is concerned.
I have always had this special admiration for Governor Otti, but yesterday was a defining moment for me.
I joined him at the South-East Vision 2050 Stakeholders Forum, and from beginning to end, everything that happened appeared deliberate and deeply instructive. This article may be a bit long, but I promise it is worth the read.
From Governor Otti’s arrival at the airport in the company of his brother Governors to receive the Vice President, as protocol demands, the atmosphere was telling.
I shared a video of Governor Otti sharing convivial moments with his South-East colleagues, accompanied by a background song “Obinwanne” by the Oriental Brothers.
What stood out clearly was the peace and brotherly love among these SouthEast Governors, with Governor Otti at the forefront.
This unity is a crucial step toward actualising any 2050 vision, because great achievements require agreement and collective resolve.
Fast forward to the arrival at the Enugu International Conference Centre, where the South-East Development Commission had lined up resource persons whose speeches stirred the atmosphere with a renewed will to act.
Then came the defining moment the moment Governor Alex Otti was invited to speak. The applause was electric. It felt as though we were in Abia. Even without the moderator reeling out achievements or rankings, as was done for other Governors, Otti needed none of that. His name alone was enough, and instantly, the moment came alive. That is the man Otti.
There was a thunderous ovation from dignitaries drawn from different states. Honestly, it was a proud moment for me. From where I sat, I found myself telling those around me, “This is my Governor.”
And I knew it was far from over when Governor Otti stepped onto the stage and announced that he had been tasked to address the forum on “Industrialisation and the Case for a Regional Energy Strategy.”
At that point, I brought out my pen and notebook, glanced through the few remaining pages, and nodded in mild disarray, this notebook may not be able to contain the points this man is about to make.
Anyone who knows Otti well understands that he has long advocated for energy interconnectedness, even before becoming Governor.
From his days of writing extensively on the back pages of ThisDay, giving him the opportunity to speak on this topic is like sitting through a full doctoral lecture, and he did not disappoint.
After commending the organisers of the South-East Vision 2050 Stakeholders Forum and thanking the Federal Government and the Office of the Vice President, Governor Otti expressed his satisfaction that South-East states have finally come together to explore the region’s untapped potential.
He noted that the conversation has shifted, it is no longer about the glory of individual states or communities, but about the destiny of the collective.
Governor Otti went on to explain that people do not migrate for leisure, but in search of greener pastures and better opportunities.
He stated that when this vision is realised, streams of opportunities will open up for young people, and our people across the globe will be encouraged to contribute meaningfully to a region ready to harness their ingenuity.
He further emphasised that energy is the gateway to industrialisation, explaining that since his assumption of office, he has backed this philosophy with action. He also noted that it is the responsibility of government to set the direction, while the private sector follows.
Using Aba as a practical example, Governor Otti illustrated his point with achievements. He spoke about how Aba has risen in recent years under his administration and admitted frankly that it was not just investments in road infrastructure and urban renewal that transformed the city.
Rather, it was the deliberate creation of an enterprise-friendly environment for the private sector to thrive. Then came the game changer, he mentioned Geometric Power, which he described as one of the leading industrial assets not just in Aba, but in the entire South-East.
Governor Otti took time to explain how Geometric Power has transformed Aba, noting that today the city enjoys 24/7 uninterrupted electricity, even during national grid collapses, because Aba is no longer dependent on the grid.
To reinforce his argument, he reminded the audience that power is the foundation of industrial growth, and that modern Aba is proof that investment and enterprise output are products of steady and predictable power supply.
He went on to identify Nigeria’s power challenges, stating clearly that the problem goes beyond funding to issues of competence, culture, and political will. He emphasised the importance of electricity market liberalisation under the Nigeria Electricity Act of 2023.
Following the trajectory of his argument, Governor Otti announced that Abia State has taken firm control of its energy regulation, from signing the mini-grid law to establishing the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA). He made a resounding declaration:
“We are determined to take our energy destiny into our own hands.”
He then proposed a regional energy approach, first illustrating that the South East possesses sufficient resources to be energy self-sufficient crude oil in Abia, Anambra, and Imo, and coal deposits in Enugu and Ebonyi. He noted that these untapped resources could power the region.
As he approached the end of his address, Governor Otti stressed collaboration over competition. He cited improved regional security, referencing the peaceful last Christmas season in the South-East, as evidence of what collaboration can achieve.
He proposed that with the same unity, South-East Governors can jointly achieve regional energy sufficiency.
Then came the moment that truly stood out.
Acknowledging that Geometric Power took 20 years to generate electricity, Governor Otti reasoned that no state in the region should endure such delays again.
Instead, Geometric, having borne the burden of time and resources can be expanded. With additional gas turbines, power can be wheeled to Enugu and other states in the region.
At that moment, it felt as though Governor Otti had combined the instincts of a seasoned market strategist with the intellect of a first-class economist. He knew exactly how to present the solution, because he had the product.
That was how Governor Alex Otti laid out a practical solution to regional energy and industrialisation at the South-East Vision 2050 Stakeholders Forum, while confidently selling Abia.
There is something about the man, Alex Otti, that cannot be fully captured in one article or even one decade.
He is a rare breed, the kind of leader that appears once in generations, perhaps once in a century.
I’ve always been of the opinion that the man Alex Otti should be added as a course in our institutions, give it to the man Otti, a leader of exceptional calibre beyond the ordinary
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