Otti Unveils Development Blueprint at the University of Buckingham

Mary Nnah

Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, recently addressed a global audience at the University of Buckingham, outlining his administration’s strategic plan to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and transform Abia State’s development landscape.

Showcasing his commitment to sustainable development at the International Conference on Human Rights, Sustainability and Climate Change, when he delivered a thought-provoking keynote speech titled, “Building Capacity to Support Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Abia State, Nigeria”, Otti highlighted Abia State’s upward trajectory, driven by his administration’s focus on sustainable development and strategic alignment with the United Nations’ goals.

Otti was welcomed to the University Buckingham by the vice-chancellor, Professor James Tooley, the dean of the Faculty of Computing, Law and Psychology, Professor Harin Sellahewa, director of the Buckingham Business Enterprise, Professor Nigel Adams, and the conference director/chairperson, Dr. Cynthia C. Umezulike. Also present to witness the keynote speech were staff, students, audience members and international delegates from over 24 countries, all of whom played a crucial role in the discussion.

In the keynote speech, Otti discussed the evolution of development concepts and explored a spectrum of global development initiatives. These initiatives span from early development theories through the post-World War II and post-Cold War periods to the contemporary impact of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the Abia State case study, Otti advocated an SDG framework, highlighting its aspirational nature and a significant departure from traditional economic development models. He noted that his manifesto was strategically aligned with the SDGs, and Abia State is now witnessing positive, sustainable development outcomes due to this alignment. Furthermore, the keynote speaker passionately engaged the audience with a critique of the global mandate for climate action, arguing that Africa was not yet prepared for such measures. He emphasised that the principle of equity was compromised, as the continent’s developmental trajectory differed markedly from that of other regions.

The governor concluded his presentation by noting that the SDGs framework was comprehensive and effectively encapsulated the essence of development. While Abia State has not yet fully realised its developmental potential, he expressed a strong optimism. This optimism should instil hope in the audience, assuring them that the state is evidently on an upward trajectory, heralding a new era of progress and hope.