Inter-tribal Marriage Promotes Peace, Unity, Says Otti

.Ohanaeze declares Abia governor pride of Ndigbo

Boniface Okoro in Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has described inter-tribal marriage as an important social tool for promoting national unity, peace, and understanding in a nation with diverse cultures like Nigeria.

Otti, who is adjudged the best governor in the South-east due to his outstanding infrastructural accomplishments in all the sectors, yesterday, got accolades from Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Abia State chapter, which revealed that Governor Otti gained its admiration by transforming Abia State and improving the standard of living of the citizens and residents, including promoting Igbo culture and tradition through deliberate policies.

Otti who spoke in Umuahia during the wedding ceremony of his youngest sister, Dr. Ngozi Otti, and her husband, Ileri Adeniji, who hails from Ogun State.

The governor noted that African marriages bring families together and spread love, strengthen relationships and promote unity among cultures, and advised his sister to look after her husband and the entire family.

Recalling that his first sister also married from Ogun State, Otti pointed out that that union has made both families to be integrated into one.

“So I advise you to look after your husband and his people. They are now your family and you must take them as one too. Marriage in Africa is all about family and you must take that into consideration,” Otti said.

While congratulating the couple on their wedding, he urged them to make their marriage work, telling his sister to be aware that the success of the marriage is hers.

He warned against divorce and separation, urging them to sort out their differences within themselves.

Sharing memories of their famiyl’s’ journey after his mother’s passing, the governor praised his wife, Priscilla Otti, for acting as a second mother to Ngozi.

Earlier in his sermon at Seventh Day Adventist Church, Isingwu, Umuahia, Pastor Bukola Ajide, encouraged the couple to make their marriage work no matter what happens.

Guests at the wedding, including the Group Managing Director of Aiteo/Nembe E&P, Mazi Victor Okoronkwo, former Treasurer and Vice President of the World Bank, Arunma Oteh and the Chancellor of Abia State University Uturu (ABSU), Prof. Catherine Uju Ifejika, advised the couple to strive to live in peace and resolve any misunderstanding with love and respect, while avoiding a third party in their union.

Addressing a press conference at its state secretariat in Umuahia yesterday, Publicity Secretary of the Abia chapter of Ohanaeze, Godwin Adindu, said that Governor Otti represents the pride and spirit of innovation and industry for which Ndigbo were known.

“The governor’s massive infrastructural renewal of Aba has gained the admiration and commendation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, such that Governor Otti is today the pride of Ndigbo as he represents the Igbo spirit of innovation, industry, resilience and entrepreneurship,” Adindu said.

“There have been radical innovations and improvements that have progressively expanded the frontiers of life in all key areas of our human existence. So Ohanaeze Ndigbo is impressed with these giant strides recorded by Governor Alex Chioma Otti,” he added.

The Publicity Secretary announced that Abia Ohanaeze Ndigbo has, therefore, passed a vote of commendation and vote of confidence on the governor for his giant strides in the state which have advanced the development matrix of Ndi Abia. 

“The organisation is also keenly interested in the total progress and advancement of the Igbo as a nation. It is against this backdrop that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Abia State, is today passing a vote of commendation and a vote of confidence on Governor Alex OttI for being deliberate and intentional in uplifting the standard of life of the citizens and residents of Abia State,” the spokesman said. 

He said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo supports Igbo leaders and entrepreneurs who are excelling in their areas of endeavour, and having followed the political development in Abia State within the last three years, the organisation “can note that the state has witnessed tremendous transformation in key areas of life, from the health, education, road infrastructure, civil service, etc.”

He said the governor has positively affected almost every Igbo family following his transformation of Aba, the Enyimba City, which the group described as “a city that is central to the life of Ndigbo.”

According to Adindu, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo notes with satisfaction, the governor’s action of promoting Igbo culture and tradition through the creation of Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, which is geared towards boosting socio-cultural, economic and tourism potential in Abia State.”

He noted that Otti was also promoting Igbo culture by directing members of the State Executive Council to put on traditional outfit on a particular day of the week, highlighting regular payment of workers, creating good business environment for trade and industry and ease of doing business in Abia as some of the major achievements of the governor.

Adindu who addressed the press conference in company of his Assistant, Chief Sam Obinna Ibe, said the vote of confidence Ohanaeze passed on the governor was to motivate him to “continue to render people-centric services to the state,” and promised that the group would continue to recognise outstanding leaders and illustrious Igbo sons and daughters who carve distinctive niche in their areas of endeavour, particularly in “promoting and defending the Igbo cause as a major tribe in the Nigerian nation.”