Odinakachi Eme

In the realm of governance and development, facts—not fantasy—should define public discourse. Yet, in recent times, Mr. Obinna Oriaku, a former public officeholder, has made it his pastime to weaponize misinformation in pursuit of political relevance.

While these theatrics may entertain the uninformed, they must be addressed decisively when they threaten the credibility of multilateral engagements and the developmental trajectory of Abia State under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.

This article is not a response to Mr. Oriaku’s antics. Rather, it is a clarion call to well-meaning Abians, development partners, and discerning observers to uphold truth over propaganda.

It is on record that the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) was virtually comatose until the intervention of Dr. Alex Otti’s administration. Under the leadership of His Excellency, the project was revived, restructured, and repositioned as a flagship infrastructure program.

Upon assumption of office, Dr. Otti immediately reconstituted the project team, strengthened institutional frameworks, and insisted on compliance with international best practices. This led to Abia RAAMP being ranked among the top-performing states in Nigeria by the World Bank in 2024.

One of the administration’s key achievements was convincing the World Bank to approve the use of stone base instead of laterite for road foundations, a decision reached after rigorous technical justification.

This achievement is a clear reflection of the Governor’s passion for quality, durability, and excellence in project delivery. Dr. Otti’s stand was simple yet profound: “We must build roads that last, not roads that wash away.” His foresight and insistence on higher construction standards continue to save the state billions in avoidable repairs and public frustration.

The claim that the AKPAVAN Ltd contract was reversed due to political interference is not only baseless but also reveals a profound misunderstanding of World Bank protocols.

The bidding process was managed through the World Bank’s Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) platform—an internationally benchmarked system that tracks procurement in real-time. The bid validity period expired, and in line with procurement rules, the process was cancelled. There was no “reversal,” no “interference,” and certainly no malpractice.

The allegation that I “begged” to serve under a former RAAMP Coordinator in 2017 is entirely fabricated.

That year, during Abia’s initial entry into RAAMP, I was engaged by the World Bank as an Independent Environmental and Social Safeguards Consultant to lead the Eligibility Criteria Review and develop the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the proposed 19.1km Ituko–Amagwu Road.

The Former Coordinator in question lacked both the technical qualifications and experience with multilateral systems. Records from the World Bank, Federal Ministries, and development institutions confirm this.

Mr. Oriaku falsely claimed that Abia was “delisted” from the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP). This claim would be laughable if it weren’t so embarrassing.

It’s obvious Mr. Oriaku has zero understanding of how multilateral programs operate. The reality is that Abia State was never delisted. In fact, we recently received commendation from the World Bank Safeguards Mission Team during their field visit in March 2025 for successful implementation of collective livelihood infrastructure, machine installations, and community mobilization.

If Abia was truly delisted as Mr. Oriaku ridiculously claims, how then did the World Bank come to the state in March this year and give a positive commendation to the team?

It is either Mr. Oriaku is intentionally misleading the public, or he is sadly out of touch with how development projects are run under this administration. Either way, his assertions are false, shallow, and self-defeating.

Before my appointment by His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, I had already built a strong and respected career as an Environmental and Social Development Consultant with proven competence in delivering major World Bank–supported and multilateral development projects across Nigeria.

This was not handed to me; it came through years of resilience, discipline, sacrifice, and the unmerited favour of God. I rose through the ranks professionally, handling assignments that required deep technical expertise, field-based experience, stakeholder coordination, and compliance with international environmental and social safeguards frameworks.

Below is a verifiable list of some of the World Bank and multilateral projects I personally contributed to before joining the Abia State Government:

A. Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Program (NG-SURWASH)
Provided technical assistance to ensure compliance with World Bank safeguards and national guidelines. Prepared key documents such as the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and Environmental and Social Commitment Plan

B. Accelerating Nutrition for Results in Nigeria Project (ANRiN)
Served as Lead Environmental Specialist. Led implementation and monitoring of environmental safeguards. Focused on healthcare waste management in compliance with project plans and national laws.

C. Kaduna Economic Transformation Program for Results (P4R)
Ensured project activities adhered to environmental and social standard

D. Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Project (NUWSRP-3)
Acted as Lead Specialist. Managed compliance with environmental laws. Conducted stakeholder consultations.

E. Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP)
Led the implementation of environmental safeguards.

F. Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP)
Prepared frameworks and plans for gully erosion sites.

G. Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project
Served as a Task Team Member. Conducted Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs).

H. National Baseline Inventory for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Project**
Ensured alignment with World Bank guidelines and Stockholm Convention requirements.

I. State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project
Prepared Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).

J. Environmental and Social Audit for 33 Silo Complexes
Conducted audits under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

K. North East Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP)
Ensured compliance with environmental standards for sustainable development.

L. Abuja Technology Village (ATV) – Growth and Employment Project
Oversaw environmental compliance and sustainability measures.

M. Kaduna State Infrastructure Master Plan (KADIMP)
Conducted strategic environmental and social assessments.

N. Additional Sub-Projects under Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Project (NUWSRP-3)
Conducted strategic assessments and supported environmental integration into infrastructure development.

Each of these projects demanded high-level technical input, international engagement, and institutional knowledge, all of which I delivered diligently and professionally.

Let it be clearly stated: My appointment was based on merit. Contrary to the political spin from Mr. Oriaku, Governor Otti appointed me not because of political ties, but because of a track record that speaks for itself. My work, my publications, my consultancy footprints, and my client endorsements are all available in the public domain. I invite Mr. Oriaku to go and verify me.

I am an established and tested consultant with years of hands-on experience in multilateral projects across the country. My professional background, field performance, and commitment to ethical standards are what brought me here, not favoritism.

These remarkable achievements underscore Governor Otti’s insistence on professionalism, diligence, and excellence in governance. The following key interventions and partnerships have been initiated or consolidated under his leadership:

EU-Funded Projects:

Diplomatic Engagements:
The renewed international confidence in Abia is further demonstrated by a wave of diplomatic visits led by:

These high-level engagements are unlocking bilateral partnerships and investments in agriculture, health, clean energy, trade, education, infrastructure, and technology, all contributing to the sustainable growth and global positioning of Abia State.

Transformational Impact: What This Means for Abians

The significance of these multilateral engagements under His Excellency’s administration cannot be overstated. They have directly translated into life-changing outcomes for the people of Abia State:

These achievements reflect more than just statistics; they reflect Governor Alex Otti’s reform-minded governance, global perspective, and bold decision-making. Abia is not just rising; it is leading.

His Excellency is not just governing; he is transforming. His administration stands out for its clarity of purpose, fiscal discipline, integrity, and commitment to global best practices.
The transformation being witnessed today is not theoretical; it is tangible and evident across every sector.

Just to add, outside of the ongoing World Bank–supported RAAMP and ACReSAL projects, the present administration has successfully positioned Abia State to be eligible for several new pipeline World Bank–supported projects. These include:

Additionally, the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development (ABSIID) Project, which saw no tangible progress under the previous administration, has been revived. Under His Excellency’s leadership, we have made remarkable strides, and the state is now ready for a drawdown of $100 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and $50 million from the Canadian Climate Trust Fund to support the project’s rollout.

Furthermore, Abia State is 80% ready for inclusion in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative, having successfully completed nearly all prerequisite conditions.

There are several other critical multilateral projects currently in the pipeline, each carefully aligned with our development priorities. While most of the projects secured under partnerships with the European Union, IOM, and UNDP are grant-funded, we are evaluating the World Bank–listed projects for potential blended financing options, including co-financing, concessional loans, and grant components. In all these efforts, the Office of the SSA on Multilateral and Donor Agencies is committed to ensuring that every project aligns with His Excellency’s priorities and the thematic focus of this administration for maximum impact and sustainability.

A Legacy of Substance, Not Soundbites
Let the records show—Abia is what it is today because of the courage, clarity, and capacity of Governor Alex Otti.

His legacy will not be in promises made but in impact delivered, and the lives of Abians transformed under his watch.

Conclusion: Facts Over Falsehood—Leadership, Not Lies

In the face of deliberate misinformation and politically motivated propaganda, let it be clearly stated: our focus remains firmly on delivering measurable results, not trading words with political merchants who thrive on deception and nostalgia for a failed past.

Mr. Oriaku has, regrettably, reduced himself to a serial propagandist—loud on social media, empty on substance, and thoroughly disconnected from the facts on ground. He offers no solutions, no substance, no relevance, only stale narratives and compulsive fabrications designed to distract and derail. But we are too focused on building the future of Abia to be distracted by a man who lies for a living.

While he peddles falsehoods about World Bank delistings and project failures—claims so poorly thought out that they collapse under the weight of common sense—we are busy securing grants, strengthening institutions, creating jobs, and transforming lives across all 17 LGAs.

And to those who still entertain his antics, let us ask a simple question: if Abia was delisted as Mr. Oriaku falsely claims, how then did the World Bank Safeguards Team not only visit Abia in March this year but also commended our efforts and progress? The answer is simple: he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Mr. Oriaku is not a stakeholder in Abia’s development. He is a man trapped in the echoes of yesterday, trying desperately to stay relevant in a state that has clearly moved on. The good people of Abia have seen through the façade. They now see him for what he truly is—a bitter, displaced political relic turned internet troll.

This government, under His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, will not descend into the gutters of propaganda. We will not dignify the desperate tantrums of those who once had their chance and squandered it. Instead, we will keep building, keep reforming, keep engaging, and keep winning for the people of Abia.

The future belongs to the builders, not the bitter.

To the reformers, not the retrogressive.

To truth, not falsehood.

Abia is rising, and no amount of noise from political bystanders will stop it.

THE NEW ABIA IS HERE.

—Odinakachi Eme is SSA to the Abia State Governor on Multilateral and Donor Agencies